Policymakers

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    Guidance for writing standards taking into account micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ needs

    This Guidance document was prepared by a Task Force of the ISO Technical Management Board. It provides guidance, advice and recommendations to standards writers on how to take into account the needs of SMEs and addresses the issues to be considered during the development process of standards.

    Source: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 2013

    Policymakers: Goods, Regulation & Standards,
    This Guidance document was prepared by a Task Force of the ISO Technical Management Board. It provides guidance, advice and recommendations to standards writers on how to take into account the needs of SMEs and addresses the issues to be considered during the development process of standards.
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    MSMEs , Value Chain and trade development in Southern Africa

    In the present study, the authors analyse how Southern African micro-, small and medium[1]sized enterprises (MSMEs) are using innovations and technologies to integrate themselves into value chains and better utilize trade agreements. The countries analysed and visited were Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

    Policymakers: Logistics, Africa,
    In the present study, the authors analyse how Southern African micro-, small and medium[1]sized enterprises (MSMEs) are using innovations and technologies to integrate themselves into value chains and better utilize trade agreements. The countries analysed and visited were Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
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    Impact of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine on MSMEs

    A set of 11 country reports and 1 regional report, joint with SADC Business Council and in each country in collaboration with national business association, on Impact of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine on MSMEs , (Angola; Botswana; Eswatini; Lesotho; Malawi; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Zambia; Simbabwe; SADC). SEARCH "Impact of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine on MSMEs" for full list.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), 2023

    Policymakers: Capacity Building, Africa,
    A set of 11 country reports and 1 regional report, joint with SADC Business Council and in each country in collaboration with national business association, on Impact of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine on MSMEs , (Angola; Botswana; Eswatini; Lesotho; Malawi; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Zambia; Simbabwe; SADC). SEARCH "Impact of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine on MSMEs" for full list.
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    Building linkages between micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and multinational companies from the global South: the case of Southern Africa

    The empirical analysis of linkages in Southern African countries discussed in the present report was conducted based on data collected through two surveys, namely the micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprise survey, which was addressed to local micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the multinational enterprises survey, which was addressed to local affiliates of foreign multinational enterprises.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), 2024

    Policymakers: Capacity Building, Africa,
    The empirical analysis of linkages in Southern African countries discussed in the present report was conducted based on data collected through two surveys, namely the micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprise survey, which was addressed to local micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the multinational enterprises survey, which was addressed to local affiliates of foreign multinational enterprises.
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    Role of technology incubators in the development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected Southern African countries

    This report reviews the role of technology incubators in the development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected Southern African countries.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), 2024

    Policymakers: Capacity Building, Africa,
    This report reviews the role of technology incubators in the development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected Southern African countries.
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    Opportunities for Micro-small and Medium-sized Enterprises within the Green and Blue Economies

    The report demonstrates the many opportunities available to micro-small and medium-sized enterprises in the green and blue economies in SADC countries. Realizing this potential requires a number of actions to be taken.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

    Policymakers: Sustainability, Africa,
    The report demonstrates the many opportunities available to micro-small and medium-sized enterprises in the green and blue economies in SADC countries. Realizing this potential requires a number of actions to be taken.
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    The role of digitalisation in strengthening capacities of Micro, Small and Medium-Size Enterprises (MSMEs in Southern Africa to take advantage of the AfCFTA)

    This study on the Role of Digitalisation in Strengthening Capacities of Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southern Africa to take Advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), probes into the network of three critical and connected themes: African MSMEs, Digital Ecosystems and AfCFTA.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), 2023

    Policymakers: Digital Trade & E-Commerce, Regional Trade Agreements, Africa,
    This study on the Role of Digitalisation in Strengthening Capacities of Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southern Africa to take Advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), probes into the network of three critical and connected themes: African MSMEs, Digital Ecosystems and AfCFTA.
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    Fostering convergence in SME sustainability reporting

    4-page information summary on why SME sustainability reporting matters.

    Source: OECD, 2024

    Policymakers: Sustainability,
    4-page information summary on why SME sustainability reporting matters.
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    Policy Toolkit for Strengthening FDI and SME Linkages

    Strengthening linkages between foreign direct investment (FDI) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is important to boost productivity and innovation across countries and regions in the OECD and beyond. This policy toolkit offers policy advice to national and subnational governments on how to increase knowledge and technology benefits from FDI on domestic SMEs and the local economy.

    Source: OECD, 2023

    Policymakers: Investment Facilitation,
    Strengthening linkages between foreign direct investment (FDI) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is important to boost productivity and innovation across countries and regions in the OECD and beyond. This policy toolkit offers policy advice to national and subnational governments on how to increase knowledge and technology benefits from FDI on domestic SMEs and the local economy.
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    SME digitalisation for competitiveness: The 2025 OECD D4SME Survey

    Digitalisation can unlock SME competitiveness, by helping SMEs access new markets and improve the efficiency of their operations. Understanding how SMEs derive value from digitalisation, as well as the barriers they face – whether in adopting new technologies or in adapting their business processes – is key to informing effective policymaking. This 2025 OECD D4SME Survey sheds light on both across ten OECD countries.

    Source: OECD, 2025

    Policymakers: Goods, Digital Trade & E-Commerce,
    Digitalisation can unlock SME competitiveness, by helping SMEs access new markets and improve the efficiency of their operations. Understanding how SMEs derive value from digitalisation, as well as the barriers they face – whether in adopting new technologies or in adapting their business processes – is key to informing effective policymaking. This 2025 OECD D4SME Survey sheds light on both across ten OECD countries.
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    Facilitating International Trade for MSMEs

    This study provides policymakers with a toolkit of best practices and measures to facilitate the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade.

    Source: IADB, 2025

    Policymakers: Goods, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation,
    This study provides policymakers with a toolkit of best practices and measures to facilitate the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade.
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    SME Competitiveness in Francophone Africa 2024: Strengthening business ecosystems for exports

    Only 14% of francophone African companies export internationally. However, more than half of non-exporting firms, particularly women-led businesses, are eager to enter global markets. Financial constraints are holding them back. This report is the seventh in an annual series.

    Source: International Trace Centre (ITC), 2024

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Access to Finance, Logistics, Africa,
    Only 14% of francophone African companies export internationally. However, more than half of non-exporting firms, particularly women-led businesses, are eager to enter global markets. Financial constraints are holding them back. This report is the seventh in an annual series.