Breakout 2E: Financial inclusion of small and women-led enterprises

Small and women-led enterprises often face particular difficulty in accessing finance. They may lack collateral, financial records and business plans, be more risk-aware or the loan amounts they require may be smaller. Lenders often perceive the costs and risks of investing in women-led SMEs to be high and for returns to be less.

This session showcases innovative investment and banking practices that create pathways to foster financial inclusion of small and women-led enterprises, and breaking down a systemic barrier to their growth.

The session will be led by Harald Bekkers and Ella Duffy from the DCED Secretariat.