Small and growing businesses
Small firms make up over 90% of the private sector in developing countries and play a pivotal role in economic growth and development. However, they face significant challenges such as access to finance, infrastructural and institutional barriers, and poor management. IGC research in this area explores these constraints and how they can be overcome.

Saving microfinance through innovative lending
Growth brief

What is holding firms back?
Video

Trading up: The benefits of exporting for small firms
Growth brief

Urban density, trust, and knowledge sharing in Lusaka, Zambia
Policy brief

Bad practices hold back small firms in developing countries
Blog

Microfinance in Bangladesh: Flexibility, growth and client type
Blog

Can Special Economic Zones drive growth in urbanising Africa?
Past Event

Management matters: How bad management is holding back growth
Case study

Empowering women through small businesses: How effective are loans for female-run start-ups?
Policy brief

Risky business: Firms, trade and development
Blog

Tracking constraints to micro-enterprise growth in Kenya and Uganda
Blog

Can the MSME sector transform the Tanzanian economy?
Blog

Intermediated loans: A new approach to microfinance (Policy Brief)
Policy brief

Management practices in the manufacturing sector in Mozambique
Project

A research agenda for the small and growing business sector: Summarising the current evidence and research needs
Publication

Key lessons in management for developing countries
Blog

The story of José: 9 steps to turn the Mozambican construction boom into an engine for inclusive growth
Blog

Punjab Small Industries Corporation rural enterprise study
Project

Financing the in-between sector: Designing and evaluating targeted SME lending in Tanzania
Project

FDI, SMEs, firm growth, and trade in East Africa
Past Event