Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa play a pivotal role in the region’s economic development, but they face significant challenges accessing the necessary finance to survive and grow.

The Convergence Historical Deals Database (HDD) has captured 145 SME-focused transactions in Sub- Saharan Africa, totalling $11 billion. This represents just over 27% of the total number of Sub-Saharan Africa deals in the HDD, but only 14% of aggregate financing.

This brief explores the use of blended finance for SMEs in the region, provides a sector overview and analyzes transactions within the HDD, and draws from interviews with SME-investors in the region to inform its analysis.

DB BF in Sub-Saharan Africa SME Financing - Draft 5 final

This brief explores the use of blended finance for SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa, provides a sector overview, analyzes transactions within Convergence's Historical Deals Database, and draws from interviews with SME-investors in the region to inform its analysis.

Blended Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: SME Financing

Convergence