AfDB-EMRC SME Forum: Bridging the missing middle gap in Africa - Lisbon 6-7 June 2011

Under this title, an important forum on small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) gathered in Lisbon, Portugal on 6-7 June 2011.  The conference was organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Brussels based international Association, EMRC , involved in promoting public and private partnership with the African private sector.

The Lisbon forum wanted to highlight the specific difficulties encountered by African SMEs which are permanently faced with a lack of investment, whose finances require between US$40,000 and US$1M. These SMEs do not receive any support in terms of microfinance or corporate finance.

Fortunately, a new trend for financial institutions has been observed, one which seeks to develop partnerships with African SMEs, through innovative credit methods.  This trend is supported by the AfDB, co-organiser of the Lisbon forum.  AfDB and the Spanish and Danish governments have recently put in place a guarantee fund for Africa in view of risk sharing with the banks willing to collaborate with African SMEs.

The forum was designed to provide think tank opportunities for economic actors (bankers, investors, CEOs, experts, politicians) from Africa and from various regions in the world, involved in the SME market and to highlight African best practice finance models and non-financial support mechanisms. The Lisbon forum took place at a good time for Africa whose economy has remained relatively vibrant and attractive for investors in spite of the world financial crisis. 

Hegel Goutier