Competitiveness and MSME development

Thriving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are essential for inclusive economic growth, job creation, and innovation. By enhancing MSME competitiveness, countries can build resilient economies that are better equipped to meet global challenges and participate in international markets.

However, MSMEs often face systemic barriers, limited access to finance, and underdeveloped entrepreneurial ecosystems. Many entrepreneurs—especially women, young people, and those in rural areas—lack the financial literacy and skills needed to navigate complex financial products and make informed decisions. Gender inequalities persist in access to finance, and MSMEs frequently struggle with product development, risk management, digitalisation, and operational efficiency.

We work with institutions, financial intermediaries, and development partners to address these challenges from multiple angles. Our support includes value-chain and cluster analyses, tailored business diagnostics, institutional capacity building, and targeted training programs for entrepreneurs and workers. We help design and implement policy reforms, promote digital platforms and innovative business models, and foster public-private dialogue to create enabling business environments. Our interventions are guided by principles of sustainability, gender equality, and social inclusion, ensuring that enterprise support benefits all segments of society and contributes to environmental resilience.

Financial literacy is a cornerstone of our approach. We deliver a range of educational initiatives—including classroom sessions, interactive lessons, and awareness campaigns through media and public events—designed to reach marginalized and vulnerable groups. Our programs develop curricula for schools and provide training in local languages, empowering people to make sound financial decisions. We also support governments in developing national financial literacy strategies through research, stakeholder engagement, and policy advice.

To close the gender gap in finance, we develop credit lines for women-led businesses, promote workforce diversity within financial institutions, and provide tailored training and financial products for women entrepreneurs. We assist financial institutions in developing gender-responsive policies and strategies and offer training for staff to lead change in gender finance. 

For micro and SME finance, we support banks and financial institutions in overcoming barriers related to human resources, product design, outreach, and risk management. Our expertise includes lending methodologies, savings and insurance solutions, business planning, management information systems (MIS), and socio-economic impact assessments. We help financial institutions develop sector-focused lending strategies, accept a wider range of collateral, and train SMEs in record keeping, business planning, and formalization. By strengthening the capacity of financial institutions, we enable MSMEs to access the financial services they need to grow, innovate, and contribute to economic development.

Our vision is to empower MSMEs to become drivers of national and regional competitiveness, building resilient economies and creating opportunities for all. Through our commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth, we help lay the foundations for a better tomorrow.