The OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2026 Scoreboard analyses access to finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs across 48 countries, covering debt, equity, asset-based finance, fintech and policy frameworks from 2007–2024, with the latest available data for 2025. The report shows that although there are early signs of recovery in SME lending, financing conditions remain challenging due to relatively high borrowing costs, tighter lending requirements and continued economic and geopolitical uncertainty. SME lending increased by 5.7% in 2024, but remained below 2022 levels, while long-term lending for investment declined. Alternative financing also remained subdued, with factoring decreasing and leasing growing only modestly. By contrast, equity and venture capital financing are recovering, although investment is concentrated in a limited number of large AI-related deals.
The report also highlights the growing role of FinTech, non-bank lenders and digital financing solutions, particularly for SMEs with limited credit histories. Governments are supporting these developments through digital infrastructures, invoice registries and regulatory frameworks that can facilitate AI-enabled credit assessment and asset-based finance. At the same time, public support for start-ups and innovative SMEs through venture capital schemes is expanding, increasingly targeting strategic sectors such as green-tech, deep-tech and defence, as well as improving access to VC for women-owned businesses and regions with limited investment. Overall, the OECD recommends that SME finance policies focus on long-term investment, diversification of financing sources, resilience and competitiveness, while promoting responsible digital, AI-enabled, asset-based and equity financing in a context of continued uncertainty.
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