UN Marks 2025 MSME Day, Calls for Stronger Financing, Digital Access, and Policy Inclusion

As the world commemorates Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day today, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has issued a strong call for greater global investment and policy support to unlock the full economic potential of MSMEs, especially in emerging economies.

In a message marking the day, the Secretary-General described MSMEs as “engines of economic activity and lifelines for communities,” highlighting that they represent over two-thirds of businesses globally. From informal traders in Ghana’s Makola Market to start-ups in Nairobi’s tech hubs, these businesses not only provide critical jobs but also empower women and youth, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to GDP growth.

“Their ingenuity fuels breakthrough solutions that benefit all of society,” the UN chief noted.

Persistent Barriers Hindering Growth

Despite their outsized contribution to national economies, MSMEs continue to face systemic barriers, including limited access to affordable credit, exclusion from global supply chains, and insufficient digital capacity. These obstacles, the Secretary-General warned, are being compounded by a wave of new global disruptions ,  from geopolitical tensions and inflation to the unequal access to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Such constraints are especially acute in Africa, where over 90% of businesses are MSMEs but face financing gaps estimated at over US$300 billion, according to data from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). In Ghana, the challenge is echoed by recent Bank of Ghana reports showing that fewer than 10% of SMEs have access to formal credit.

A Call for Structural Support

To overcome these hurdles, the Secretary-General urged governments, financial institutions, and private-sector actors to focus on three key interventions:

1. Expand access to affordable financing, including tailored credit for women- and youth-led enterprises.
2. Open new market opportunities, by simplifying trade barriers and strengthening value chain integration.
3. Improve digital infrastructure and skills, to help MSMEs leverage e-commerce, AI, and data tools for growth.

“We must commit to unleash the transformative promise of MSMEs as drivers for sustainable development and innovation,” he stated.

A Business Imperative

Analysts say the message from the UN comes at a crucial time. With many economies still recovering from the ripple effects of the pandemic, MSMEs are expected to play a key role in job creation, income growth, and resilience. In Ghana alone, SMEs account for over 70% of industrial employment and 92% of private businesses, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.

“Empowering SMEs is not charity, meaning it’s smart economics,” said Abena Tetteh, an Accra-based economist. “What they need are systems that see them not as fringe players, but as central to inclusive growth.”

The Bottom Line

With the right investments and policies, MSMEs could help steer economies toward more equitable and sustainable recovery. As the world faces economic headwinds and technological shifts, building SME resilience is no longer optional, it is vital for global economic stability.

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