Individual assignment $(40\%$ of final module mark$)$:

The Forth Industrial revolution $(4$IR$)$ has significantly changed the conduct of business and trade, globally. Using a case study of an MSME from your respective country, assess how the financial services sector $($supply side$)$ leveraged technology in supporting MSMEs currently, in terms of financial assistance, business development support, and other similar functions.

You are required to also apply key concepts from the MEF module in your assignment, e$.$g$.$ FinTech and digital disruptions, access to finance and sources, social capital, theSDGs, different forms of microfinancing, financial inclusion, and the like.

As a development finance practitioner, based on your assessment above, what advice would you give to the following stakeholders in your country, to ensure sustainability and growth of the financial players involved in supporting MSMEs:

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Financial services$$ providers;

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Bank$/$ financial industry regulators $($e$.$g$.$ Central Bank, Financial ServicesBoard, various rating agencies, and so on; and

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Macro$-$economic policy makers?

NB: contextualise your assignment to South Africa. Do not create a phantom scenario.