small and medium enterprises (SME)

This paper (PDF) by the Asian Development Bank Institute examines the characteristics of SMEs in in global value chains (GVCs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) and explores the policy implications. It finds that among SMEs, firm size matters for participation in GVCs and FTAs. But size is not the whole story for SME internationalization. Licensing »

This report by USAID and ACDI/VOCA (PDF) presents an assessment of agri-business small and medium enterprises (ASMEs) in Malawi. It was found that this is a sector with diversified business ownership, in which owners commonly operate multiple businesses and can be classed as ‘portfolio’ owner-managers spanning both agri-business and non-agri-businesses. A portfolio enables them to »

This report by Shujog, commissioned by Oxfam, analyses the effectiveness of development programs in addressing challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture sector in Asia. The purpose of this report is to inform the decision-making of development programs that aim to catalyze the growth of Social Enterprises (SEs) in agriculture and »

This case study highlights how SNV helped create an enabling ecosystem for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through access to finance and business development services. SNV, with support from Hivos and other partners, established the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT) in the pursuit of their common objective of providing sustainable financial support to value chain actors. »

This report (PDF) from the Montpellier Panel argues that investment in rural and food sector entrepreneurship, particularly amongst Africa’s growing youth population, can do more than achieve sustainable food and nutrition security for the continent: it can create jobs, wealth and robust livelihoods. The report’s recommendations include: (i) the establishment of programmes in order to »

On February 27, 2015, a group of 35 enthusiastic social entrepreneurs and impact investors discussed the role of social entrepreneurship for food and nutrition security.  During a lively ‘Pop-up Friday’ meeting, enabled by the Food & Business Knowledge Platform (F&BKP), practitioners and academics explored the practical and strategic challenges that social entrepreneurs face and how »