The “Missing Middle”

IWB is a grass roots initiative designed to address a key gap in the financial markets of developing countries known as the missing middle. The missing middle are the small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are too large for microfinance, but too small to meet the requirements of many traditional financial institutions.

Globally, the SME sector is a significant driver of employment growth. Yet, SMEs in many developing markets face prohibitive barriers to obtaining the financing needed to grow, including the lack of a formal credit system, unachievable collateral requirements, and interest rates often exceeding

In high-income countries, small & medium-sized businesses account for 60-70% of job opportunities, 55% of GDP, and are significant drivers of innovation.[1]

Filling the Gap – Transparency, Accountability, and Grassroots Connections

IWB plans to increase the flow of capital to the missing middle by helping organizations on the ground improve the transparency of small business in Africa, connect to the global marketplace, and tap into the collective investment power of everyday individuals across the globe – Grassroots Connections to fill the gap.