Enterprise development

We work with countries to help their small and medium-sized enterprises grow in a sustainable manner and compete in the global economy.

Empretec - Entrepreneurship global network

Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance

Business Facilitation Programme

International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR)

News

Policies that support small enterprise development and entrepreneurship for women and youth are crucial to promoting competition, driving economic efficiency and fostering sustainable development.

How to make small businesses in developing countries more competitive

On Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day marked on 27 June, UNCTAD renews calls for a level playing field to help tackle the challenges facing women and youth entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

27 Jun 2023

Benin triples number of companies opened by youth in 2022

The country’s young people are chasing their entrepreneurial dreams amid a digitalization boom powered by e-government tools developed by UNCTAD.

5 Apr 2023

A fruit processing factory in the city of Isfara in northern Tajikistan.

Tajikistan: Unlocking investment for sustainable development

New UNCTAD analysis explores ways to unleash the landlocked nation’s economic potential through a more conducive environment for investment and businesses.

9 Mar 2023

How Bhutan’s civil servants are building a digital government system

New UNCTAD software allows Bhutan’s government employees to create their own user-friendly services for citizens online.

6 Feb 2023

More news

Projects

Global Initiative towards post-Covid-19 resurgence of the MSME sector

Migrant and Refugee Entrepreneurship

Enabling policy frameworks for enterprise sustainability and SDG reporting in Africa and Latin America

Special initiative

eTrade for Women

Recent publications

Promoting MSME development and entrepreneurship in and around Special Economic Zones in Africa

National Entrepreneurship Strategy - South Africa

Core Indicators for Sustainability and SDG Impact Reporting: Training Manual

Tackling the Sustainability Reporting Challenge – A Policy Guide

National Entrepreneurship Strategy - Seychelles

Entrepreneurship Policy Review - Uganda

More publications

Events and meetings

Intergovernmental working group of experts on international standards of accounting and reporting, 40th session

17 Oct 2023 - 19 Oct 2023

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ISAR Symposium on Developing Public Sector Sustainability Reporting Standards

16 Oct 2023 - 16 Oct 2023

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

SDG Action Weekend - Bridging the Financing Gap: Unleashing the Potential of SMEs

16 Sep 2023 - 16 Sep 2023

New York, United States of America

Launch of a guide for practitioners on promoting MSMEs development and entrepreneurship in and around Special Economic Zones in Africa

12 Sep 2023 - 12 Sep 2023

Online

Workshop on impact investing in Zambia and corporate sustainability reporting for the implementation of SDGs in Africa

23 Mar 2023 - 24 Mar 2023

Lusaka, Zambia

Documents and publications

Promoting MSME development and entrepreneurship in and around Special Economic Zones in Africa [ADVANCE COPY]

A guide for practitioners

UNCTAD/DIAE/2023/4 - 11 Sep 2023

English

National Entrepreneurship Strategy - South Africa

UNCTAD/TCS/DIAE/INF/2023/3 - 17 Aug 2023

English

Reports of the UN Secretary-General

Resolution 77/160: Entrepreneurship for sustainable development

A/RES/77/160 - 27 Dec 2022

Report of the UN Secretary-General: Entrepreneurship for sustainable development

A/77/254 - 29 Jul 2022