The Lead Representative of the Euro-Mediterranean Guarantee Network (EMGN), Mrs. Nagla Bahr, will participate as a speaker in the upcoming Global SME Finance Forum 2025, taking place from 15 to 17 September 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mrs. Bahr, who also serves as Executive Board Member of CGC-Egypt and African Continental Coordinator of the Global Network of Guarantee Institutions (GNGI), is scheduled to speak in the session on Guarantees, with further details on the session content and participants to be announced soon.

Organised by the SME Finance Forum, managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and co-hosted with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), the Forum is recognised as an official side event of the G20 South Africa Presidency.

The 2025 edition, under the theme “Building Resilience and Creating Opportunities for Growth”, will bring together global leaders from financial institutions, fintech innovators, development organisations, and policy circles to explore practical solutions to address the persistent financing challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The three-day programme will include:

• Innovative financial instruments and credit guarantee mechanisms
• Public-private partnerships for financial inclusion
• Digital solutions expanding access to capital
• Policy and regulatory frameworks enabling SME growth
• Onsite study visits to leading banks, digital lenders, and SME stakeholders in South Africa

Mrs. Nagla Bahr remarked on the importance of the Forum:

“I believe the Forum is highly relevant for our members, given its diversity and the breadth of topics covered – particularly during such a challenging period for SMEs globally. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices in SME finance and bring valuable insights back to our regional networks.”

Registration is now open for this global event. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.globalsmefinanceforum.com/