$2 billion of trade finance is heading to the small firms the global system keeps leaving out

A business that cannot borrow to buy supplies cannot fill an order, hire, or grow — and worldwide, that trade-finance gap is estimated at $2.5 trillion, concentrated in developing economies. The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group's private-sector arm, and Citi have set up a facility of up to $2 billion to close part of it: IFC guarantees of up to $1 billion free up an equal amount of Citi lending to more than 100 companies over three years across Africa, Asia and Latin America. At least $500 million of the new lending is earmarked for climate-friendly work — water and sanitation, renewable energy, efficient manufacturing and sustainable farming.

SDG 8 · Decent work and economic growth — Mechanism: funding & finance