Background & Origins
How CBFF-SME Came to Be
The Continental Business & Finance Forum for SMEs (CBFF-SME) is a consortium initiative bringing together four complementary organisations: Netkigali, Re-bird Belgium, SBPME-UEMOA (Salon des Banques et PME de l'UEMOA), and Congruence Consulting.
The initiative builds on the practical experience of the Salon des Banques et des PME de l'UEMOA (SBPME-UEMOA), a recognized regional initiative focused on connecting banks and SMEs in West Africa. Over time, this forum became a reference platform for SME financing, banking innovation and economic development across the region.
These lessons inspired the creation of a new generation platform designed to move from dialogue to transactions — evolving a successful regional forum into a pan-African platform dedicated to financing and scaling SMEs.
“From dialogue to transactions — a permanent ecosystem connecting SMEs with capital and global markets.”
SBPME-UEMOA — Salon des Banques et PME de l'UEMOA
Historical Partners
The Forum built a leading public-private ecosystem bringing together states, regional institutions, banks and technical partners. Over its editions, the SBPME-UEMOA ecosystem gathered:
Public & Regional Institutions
- •Commission de l'UEMOA
- •CCR UEMOA — Chambre Consulaire Régionale
- •Ministères des États membres de l'UEMOA
- •FAPEBF UEMOA (Fédération des Banques)
- •FAPSFD UEMOA (Fédération des Microfinances)
- •BADEA
- •OAPI
- •Universités et Écoles de Commerce
- •BCEAO — Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
- •BRVM (Bourse)
- •FAGACE
- •BOAD — Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement
- •FSA — Fonds Africain de Solidarité
- •AGF Group — African Guarantee Fund West Africa S.A.
- •AUF — Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie
Banking & Financial Sector
- •BIS — Banque Islamique du Sénégal
- •CBI — Coris Bank International
- •BOA — Bank Of Africa
- •ECOBANK
- •ORABANK
- •VISTA Bank
- •BNDA — Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole
- •BADF — Banque Agricole Du Faso
- •Banque Atlantique
- •WBI — Wendkuni Bank International
- •BDU — Banque De l'Union
- •IB Bank — International Business Bank
- •BCB — Banque Commerciale du Burkina
- •UBA — United Bank for Africa
- •BAO-GB
- •BSIC
- •SUNU Bank
- •COFINA
- •FCPB — Fédération des Caisses Populaires du Burkina
- •Institutions de Microfinance
Private Sector & Associations
- •Chambres Consulaires et Associations de PME de l'UEMOA
- •Partenaires techniques internationaux
- •Opérateurs économiques régionaux
- •ASKY Airlines
- •Air Burkina
- •Air Côte d'Ivoire
- •Air Sénégal
- •Royal Air Maroc
Past Editions
A Proven Track Record
SBPME-UEMOA — Salon des Banques et PME de l'UEMOA
Key Lessons Learned
1. Dialogue alone is insufficient
SMEs require structured financing mechanisms, not just discussion.
2. Trust & information asymmetry
Banks and investors lack reliable SME performance data.
3. Regional integration opens markets
AfCFTA is creating new cross-border opportunities.
4. Matchmaking platforms are essential
Structured environments connecting SMEs to capital are critical.
Strategic Vision & Objectives
Long-Term Vision
The long-term vision of CBFF-SME is to establish a permanent ecosystem that connects SMEs with capital, markets, and strategic partners. The initiative aims to position Kigali as a continental hub for SME financing structuring and investment matchmaking.
Mobilize Capital
Connect SMEs with banks, investors, and development finance institutions across Africa.
Reduce Investment Risk
Through certification, digital trust infrastructure, and alternative data sources.
Promote Economic Integration
Support cross-border trade under the AfCFTA framework across the continent.
Accelerate Market Access
Connect African producers with international buyers and markets globally.
Pilot Launch
Why Rwanda?
Over the past two decades, Rwanda has emerged as one of the continent’s most dynamic economies through a determined policy of economic transformation, business-climate improvement and private-investment promotion. Despite being landlocked, Rwanda has turned its geographic position into a competitive advantage by developing an open, connected economy oriented towards regional and international trade — and Kigali is now recognized as one of Africa’s leading platforms for business, innovation, financial services and investment. By hosting the CBFF-SME, Rwanda provides entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions and development partners with a stable, credible environment for lasting partnerships, and a natural convergence point for economic stakeholders seeking opportunities across East, Central and West Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Priority Sectors
Agriculture & Agro-Industry
Speciality coffee and tea; horticulture and export crops (avocados, flowers, chillies, fine beans); and agro-industry producing processed goods for regional and international markets.
Industry & Manufacturing
Construction materials, manufacturing, textiles and garment production, and technology, industrial assembly and digital solutions connected to African value chains.
Enabling Regulatory Framework
Streamlined administrative procedures, investment-friendly regulation and governance recognized for its predictability.
Digital Infrastructure
An advanced ecosystem of digital services, electronic payments and connectivity that supports business development.
Kigali International Financial Centre
A financial platform designed to attract international investors, structure financial transactions and support pan-African investment.
Public-Sector Commitment
A proactive policy supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, SMEs and productive investment.
Economic & Industrial Zones
Industrial and logistics infrastructure providing favorable conditions for production, exports and investment.
Standards & Quality
Progressive alignment with regional and international standards to facilitate trade and reduce non-tariff barriers.
Expected Impact
Discover the four integrated pillars that power the CBFF-SME ecosystem
Meet the Panel →