Forum Program
Kigali CBFF — August 9–11, 2026
Three intensive days combining high-level policy dialogue, deal room matchmaking, bilateral negotiations, and site visits.
DAY 1 — Sunday, August 9, 2026
Policy Leadership, SME Growth & Market Access
08:30–09:00
Registration & Networking Breakfast
- — SMEs, banks, investors, trade institutions, development partners
09:00–09:30
Opening Ceremony — Rwanda as Gateway for SME Investment in Africa
RDB · Ministry of Finance · Ministry of Trade
- — Rwanda's investment strategy
- — Strengthening the SME ecosystem
- — Positioning Kigali as a continental finance hub
09:30–10:15
Policy Dialogue — Financing the Next Generation of African SMEs
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
- — Closing the SME financing gap
- — Mobilizing domestic and international capital
10:15–11:00
Financial Stability — Creating a Trusted SME Financial Ecosystem
National Bank of Rwanda
- — Financial sector regulation & SME credit frameworks
- — Strengthening confidence in SME lending
11:00–11:30
Coffee Break
11:30–12:30
Banking Leaders Panel — Unlocking Bank Financing for African SMEs
Bank of Kigali · I&M Bank · Bank of Africa
- — SME lending strategies
- — Trade finance opportunities
- — Cross-border banking solutions
12:30–14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00–15:00
Risk & Financing Solutions — Reducing Risk to Unlock SME Financing
FAGACE
- — Credit guarantees for SMEs
- — Risk mitigation for banks
- — Improving SME bankability
15:00–16:00
Digital Economy — Digital Infrastructure for SME Growth
Smart Africa
- — Digital trust infrastructure
- — Digital identity for SMEs
- — Scaling African digital platforms
16:00–17:00
Global Market Intelligence — Finding International Buyers for African Products
World Trade IA
- — Export market analysis
- — Identifying global demand
- — Connecting SMEs with buyers
17:00–18:00
SME Investment Pitch Session — The CBFF Investment Pipeline
Selected SMEs
- — Growth strategy & financing needs
- — Export potential
- — Audience: banks, investors, trade institutions
19:00–21:00