Research and Position Papers
Partnerships and Collaboration
Research and Position Papers
Our research unpicks the secrets of values-based SME financing and explores the business case that underpins it. Our position papers explain how values-based SME financiers deal with global issues and other key topics, including climate change, inclusivity and sustainable finance, emphasizing what we share with and how, differ from, conventional investors.
Stakeholder Engagement
Partnerships and Collaboration
Research and Position Papers
Stakeholders are very important to our work. In pursuit of our mission and objectives, we engage a diverse network of key stakeholders at community, national, regional and global levels around the world in the interest of our members and African SMEs. Engaging key stakeholders in our advocacy, planning and implementation processes gives us an added advantage.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Partnerships and Collaboration
Partnerships and Collaboration
In pursuit of its Mission to advance the SME sector in Africa, ASFIN initiates strategic alliances and strengthens partnerships with key institutions locally and with sister SME-finance and investor organisations in the region and around the world. By so doing, we leverage our know-how and tap into the expertise of our members, partners and sister organisations for the benefit of African SMEs.
Capacity Building & Training
Alliance Building and Networking
Partnerships and Collaboration
ASFIN organises in-house seminars and public events covering a vast array of SME-related topics and concerns, including the presentation slides. It provides convenient, flexible access to complimentary seminar recordings, and provides discounted registrations to our “can’t miss” educational courses.
Policy Advocacy & Analysis
Alliance Building and Networking
Alliance Building and Networking
Being a member of ASFIN affords members a collective voice on SME finance and sustainability issues and policy concerns. It lobbies for the formulation of policies that support SME financiers and investors, business development and for the repeal of those that adversely affect business, especially SME investors. ASFIN also lobbies for the establishment and maintenance of business-friendly infrastructures and tax regimes for SME investors, and impact investing.
Alliance Building and Networking
Alliance Building and Networking
Alliance Building and Networking
Our member-generated networking events and online community groups where you can connect with fellow members to forge new professional, business relationships, ask questions, share solutions and enhance your career success and business opportunities.
Convening and Annual Conferences
Convening and Annual Conferences
Convening and Annual Conferences
The Annual Meeting is the reference point of contact among ASFIA members. Over the course of three days, CEOs and other participants discuss the future of the SME financing and investment sector and focus on how values-based financiers and investors can play a role in addressing the biggest social and environmental challenges.
Leadership Recognition / Honours
Convening and Annual Conferences
Convening and Annual Conferences
The African SME Finance and Investment Awards will recognise excellence, demonstrated support and commitment, through professional services, best practices and sound management principles, corporate governance, good stewardship, innovation and effectiveness in the growth of African SMEs. It'll honour development finance institutions, regulatory authorities, investors, firms and private foundations and corporations.
Information, Education and Com.
Convening and Annual Conferences
Peer Learning & Exchange Programs
As a Network, we share best practices and engage with the rest of the financial and investor sectors to help deliver deep-seated, systemic change. We communicate our position on global issues and key topics and engage on this with international initiatives, regulators and advocacy organisations. ASFIN Summit is our global campaign to promote a more sustainable financial system and create visibility for our movement.
Peer Learning & Exchange Programs
Providing Innovation and Leadership
Peer Learning & Exchange Programs
In addition to providing a platform for in-depth discussions of SME interest challenges, the Network produces educational materials such as newsletters, SME Investor Job alerts, funding opportunities, and other resource publications to keep members abreast of the trends and challenges in the SME sector and the SME finance ecosystem in Africa.
Setting Best Practices & Standards
Providing Innovation and Leadership
Providing Innovation and Leadership
ASFIN and our members have developed a Scorecard to set the standard for, and monitor and communicate the progress of, values-based SME financing and investments. ASFIN Scorecard emphasises the two most distinctive factors common to values-based institutions: serving the real economy and putting social and environmental impact at the heart of their business model.
Providing Innovation and Leadership
Providing Innovation and Leadership
Providing Innovation and Leadership
Migrating from old forms of partnerships and international aid to effective development cooperation is challenging for most African countries. ASFIN provides leadership for the African SME ecosystem and inspire potential investors, and works with members and key stakeholders at all levels to strengthen the transition through leadership and innovation that makes the process less challenging.