Global SME Finance Forum 2026

The Global SME Finance Forum returns this September for its 12th edition, this time in Washington D.C. Hosted by the SME Finance Forum, managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and organized with strategic partner Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), the 2026 edition will convene at the World Bank Group headquarters for the first time in the Forum's history.

Over the past decade, the Forum has established itself as the largest global gathering focused exclusively on SME financing. Last year's edition brought together more than 1,000 senior leaders from over 70 countries.

This year's edition is built around the theme: Transforming Access Into Impact. The 2026 program addresses this through the lens of the SME Growth Stack fit-for-purpose finance, trusted data, and digital platforms, examining how these forces can move SMEs from local potential to global performance.