Digital infrastructure can lower barriers to financial services, markets and public support, but access alone does not guarantee participation or prosperity. The harder task is building the skills, institutions, trust and locally relevant services that let people and businesses turn connectivity into opportunity. Digital infrastructure must also be trusted, secure, resilient and designed around real-world needs. Drawing on experience across policy, development and fintech, this session examines what helps digital systems reach underserved communities, support livelihoods and strengthen local economies, and where infrastructure-led strategies fall short. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of the capabilities required to turn digital infrastructure into trusted ecosystems for genuinely inclusive growth and resilience.

MSMEs are among the most powerful engines of jobs and economic opportunity in developing economies. They do not just contribute to the economy; they are the economy. With 1.2 billion people expected to enter the workforce in developing economies over the coming decade, the imperative is not simply to expand access to finance, but to enable more businesses to grow, compete and create jobs at scale. What we have today, we have never had before. Digital infrastructure, fast payments, data, platforms, and technology are coming together at scale, making SMEs visible in ways that were simply not possible before. This creates an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how we reach, support, and finance them. Finance is increasingly moving beyond traditional collateral-based models toward cash-flow-based lending, where data is the new collateral.
 
This session will spotlight the World Bank Group’s work to unlock opportunity for MSMEs and offer a first look at a new strategy and scalable solutions for a rapidly evolving playing field. The conversation continues the following day, November 19, at the Global SME Finance Forum, with a deeper look at the strategy and what it means for the future of MSME finance.

Whether you're a student starting out, a finance professional planning a career pivot, or a startup founder facing a specific business challenge, Pay It Forward connects you with established industry professionals for face-to-face, one-to-one mentorship. It's a chance to get advice from people who have already worked through the challenges you're facing. Sessions are 15 minutes long and take place at the Pay It Forward Lounge in Hall 3, from 18 to 20 November, 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Come with one specific question or challenge, and leave with focused, practical advice.