Trending
US Allows Anthropic to Release Mythos to 'Trusted Partners' in Ongoing AI Regulation DebateSmall Businesses, Big Impact: Five Ways the UN is Helping MSMEs Drive Sustainable DevelopmentOpenAI Launches Limited Release of New AI Model in US Only, Amid Growing Government ScrutinyKBRA Comments on Colony Bancorp, Inc.'s Proposed Merger with First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.Apple Loop: iPhone 18 Pro Release Date, Hidden iOS 27 Features, iPhone Air 2 Details and MoreSaks Emerges from Bankruptcy with a New Plan and Corporate NameCould AI Eventually Make Things Cheaper?John John Florence Gives a Tour of the Vela, the Catamaran He Calls HomeHikers Lost in Kosciuszko National Park Rescued by Drones Powered by Artificial IntelligenceUS Rapist Who Fled to Scotland After Appearing to Fake Own Death Dies in HospitalAll Aboard for Anker's Prime Day Deals on Headphones, Earbuds, Power Stations, and MoreRice Unveils Shape-Shifting Surface for Future Technological AdvancementsAmazon Prime Day is Almost Over - These Are the 45 Best (and Most Popular) Deals in Canada, Up to 80% Off | Live UpdatesWho Owns NZ GPs: The Private Equity Giants, Kiwi Corporates, and the DoctorsShrinking Properties Force Home Brewers to Go Compact: Adapting to Smaller Spaces in the Face of UrbanizationCorrecting and Replacing Ridge Security Named a Sample Vendor in the 2026 Gartner Hype Cycle for Security OperationsUS Allows Anthropic to Release Mythos to 'Trusted Partners' in Ongoing AI Regulation DebateSmall Businesses, Big Impact: Five Ways the UN is Helping MSMEs Drive Sustainable DevelopmentOpenAI Launches Limited Release of New AI Model in US Only, Amid Growing Government ScrutinyKBRA Comments on Colony Bancorp, Inc.'s Proposed Merger with First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.Apple Loop: iPhone 18 Pro Release Date, Hidden iOS 27 Features, iPhone Air 2 Details and MoreSaks Emerges from Bankruptcy with a New Plan and Corporate NameCould AI Eventually Make Things Cheaper?John John Florence Gives a Tour of the Vela, the Catamaran He Calls HomeHikers Lost in Kosciuszko National Park Rescued by Drones Powered by Artificial IntelligenceUS Rapist Who Fled to Scotland After Appearing to Fake Own Death Dies in HospitalAll Aboard for Anker's Prime Day Deals on Headphones, Earbuds, Power Stations, and MoreRice Unveils Shape-Shifting Surface for Future Technological AdvancementsAmazon Prime Day is Almost Over - These Are the 45 Best (and Most Popular) Deals in Canada, Up to 80% Off | Live UpdatesWho Owns NZ GPs: The Private Equity Giants, Kiwi Corporates, and the DoctorsShrinking Properties Force Home Brewers to Go Compact: Adapting to Smaller Spaces in the Face of UrbanizationCorrecting and Replacing Ridge Security Named a Sample Vendor in the 2026 Gartner Hype Cycle for Security Operations

Small Businesses, Big Impact: Five Ways the UN is Helping MSMEs Drive Sustainable Development

By combining access to finance, skills development, market opportunities and fair policy frameworks, the UN and partners are helping create environments where micro-, small and med...

News Desk

Staff Writer

Published

Jun 27, 2026

Source

United Nations Sustainable Development Group

Analytics

0 0 0
Small Businesses, Big Impact: Five Ways the UN is Helping MSMEs Drive Sustainable Development

AI Insight:The UN's efforts to empower MSMEs can create a ripple effect, boosting global economic growth and reducing poverty.

The United Nations has long recognized the vital role that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in driving sustainable development. By providing access to finance, skills development, market opportunities, and fair policy frameworks, the UN and its partners are helping to create environments where these businesses can flourish. This approach has the potential to create a ripple effect, boosting global economic growth and reducing poverty, as MSMEs are often the backbone of local economies. The statistics are stark: in many developing countries, MSMEs account for up to 90% of businesses, and they provide employment opportunities for millions of people. However, they often face significant barriers to growth, including limited access to finance, inadequate skills development, and unfair policy frameworks. The UN's efforts to address these challenges are yielding promising results, with many MSMEs reporting increased revenue and job creation. One key area of focus for the UN is access to finance. The organization is working with financial institutions and governments to develop innovative financing models that cater to the needs of MSMEs. This includes the use of digital platforms and mobile payments, which can help reduce transaction costs and increase access to capital. For instance, the UN's Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative has helped to raise over $1 billion in capital for MSMEs through sustainable stock exchanges. Skills development is another critical area of focus for the UN. The organization is working with training providers and employers to develop programs that equip MSME owners and employees with the skills they need to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. This includes training in areas such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. The UN's Entrepreneurship Training Program, for example, has helped over 10,000 MSME owners develop the skills they need to grow their businesses and create jobs. Market opportunities are also a key area of focus for the UN. The organization is working with governments and private sector partners to develop programs that help MSMEs access new markets and customers. This includes the use of digital platforms and e-commerce, which can help MSMEs reach new customers and increase their revenue. The UN's eTrade for All initiative, for instance, has helped over 1 million MSMEs access new markets and customers through e-commerce platforms. Fair policy frameworks are also essential for MSMEs to thrive. The UN is working with governments to develop policies that support MSME growth and development, including tax policies, regulatory frameworks, and access to finance. The impact of the UN's efforts to support MSMEs is already being felt. In Kenya, for example, the UN's Entrepreneurship Training Program has helped MSMEs create over 10,000 new jobs and increase their revenue by over 50%. In Rwanda, the UN's eTrade for All initiative has helped MSMEs increase their exports by over 20%. These results demonstrate the potential of the UN's approach to support MSMEs and drive sustainable development. According to Dr. Maria Luiza Viçoso, a UN expert on MSMEs, 'The key to success is to create an enabling environment that supports MSME growth and development. This includes access to finance, skills development, market opportunities, and fair policy frameworks. By working together, we can help MSMEs thrive and drive sustainable development around the world.' The implications of the UN's efforts to support MSMEs are far-reaching. By creating environments where MSMEs can thrive, the UN is helping to drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development. This approach also has the potential to create jobs, increase revenue, and improve living standards for millions of people. As the global economy continues to evolve, the need for support MSMEs will only continue to grow, making the UN's efforts all the more critical. To build on this momentum, the UN and its partners will need to continue working together to create enabling environments that support MSME growth and development. This will require sustained commitment and continued investment in areas such as access to finance, skills development, market opportunities, and fair policy frameworks. By doing so, we can help MSMEs thrive and drive sustainable development around the world.