Digital Inclusion & Microfinance: OYA Micro-Credit’s CEO Wycliffe Ochola won “Digitally Fit Microfinance CEO of the Year” for scaling online access plus financial education, aiming to widen participation for micro and small clients. Rural Competition & Red Tape: South Africa’s Competition Commission says township and rural SMEs struggle with licensing, compliance, and limited market access—hurting both business growth and consumer choice. SME Credit & Export Finance: Pakistan’s SBP-BSC will host an Export Finance Scheme Part II and SME financing awareness session (Sept. 10), while Sri Lanka’s FCCISL and the government map a plan to identify and grow 1,000–5,000 scalable SMEs nationwide. SME Financing in Action: Thailand’s Tidlor could get up to $200m from IFC to expand lending to microentrepreneurs (with at least 75% for women), and San Diego County approved an “Empower East County Business Revolving Loan Fund” offering $1,000–$50,000 loans plus SBDC support. Policy Pressure on Small Traders: Kenya ordered shutdowns of foreign-run small retail and hawking from Sept. 7, framing it as local protection amid a proposed Local Content Bill. Business Costs & Disruption: J&K banks hit priority-sector targets overall, but many fell far short on MSME and other categories—while Thailand SMEs face a “debt tsunami” as defaults and overdue loans rise. Local Business Environment: A B.C. survey finds crime and street disorder are worsening for small businesses, affecting hiring and operations.