The CommonwealthCommonwealth Economic Infrastructure Platform
Office of the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General's Vision for Commonwealth Enterprise

Under the leadership of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, CEIP supports a bold vision: helping Commonwealth businesses and SMEs move from local survival to regional expansion, global trade, investment readiness and future unicorn potential.

Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General — official portrait
Official portrait · Commonwealth Secretariat
The Right Honourable
Hon Shirley Botchwey
7th Commonwealth Secretary-General
First African woman to hold the office
Photo © Commonwealth Secretariat (thecommonwealth.org)

"CEIP exists to help every Commonwealth business — from the smallest SME to the next generation of global champions — become visible, verified, financed and connected to the markets, capital and partners they need to grow."

— The Office of the Commonwealth Secretary-General

The platform is designed to unlock opportunity for entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, young founders, exporters, investors and institutions across the Commonwealth.

CEIP advances the Secretary-General's mandate for practical economic cooperation: real markets, real finance, real growth — built on the Commonwealth's shared values, legal heritage and 2.7 billion people.

56
Member states
2.7B
People
7th SG
Office

Priorities under the Secretary-General

The five enterprise priorities CEIP delivers.

PRIORITY 01
Visibility & verification
Every Commonwealth business — visible, verified and trusted across 56 member states.
PRIORITY 02
Access to markets
Open doors for SMEs to buyers, procurement and trade corridors across the Commonwealth.
PRIORITY 03
Access to finance
Working capital, trade finance and growth capital channels for verified enterprises.
PRIORITY 04
Inclusive growth
Targeted pathways for women-led, youth-led and underserved enterprises.
PRIORITY 05
Future champions
A structured pathway from SME to investment-ready, listing-ready Commonwealth champion.
PRIORITY 06
Country capability
Better data, markets and finance access so governments can support their SMEs effectively.

Advancing the Secretary-General's vision, together.