FCI’s regional directors continue to monitor key market, regulatory and industry developments shaping the future of factoring, receivables finance and supply chain finance around the world. This month’s regional updates highlight important progress across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, CEE & SEE, the Middle East and Western Europe, with several developments expected to support market growth, legal certainty, digitalisation and cross-border business.
Africa
Nigeria has recorded a significant milestone for receivables finance with the passage of the Factoring, Assignments and Receivables Financing Bill by the Senate. Once enacted, the legislation is expected to strengthen the legal framework for factoring, improve access to working capital for SMEs, and support both domestic and cross-border trade. This development represents an important step in expanding receivables finance across one of Africa’s largest economies. As the market prepares for the next stage, key areas of focus will include implementation, market education, standard contracts, tax and accounting treatment, and the onboarding of potential customers.
Americas
In the Americas, New York’s UCC Article 12 on Controllable Electronic Records took effect in June, marking an important legal development for digital trade finance, receivables finance and supply chain finance. The framework provides clearer rules for certain electronic payment rights and digital trade instruments, supporting greater legal certainty around ownership, transfer, collateralisation and enforcement. Brazil also advanced the modernisation of receivables finance infrastructure with the launch of its new ecosystem for duplicatas escriturais, aimed at improving transparency, traceability and legal certainty in the negotiation of receivables. Together, these developments point to continued progress across the region in building stronger legal and digital foundations for receivables-based finance.
Asia-Pacific
At the June Lujiazui Forum, the People’s Bank of China unveiled six major policy measures designed to accelerate Shanghai’s transformation into a leading international financial centre. These include the launch of an offshore renminbi foreign exchange trading pilot within the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the establishment of an RMB Repo Facility for Foreign and International Monetary Authorities. Supported by a broader Shanghai offshore finance action plan, these opening-up reforms are expected to strengthen the region’s capacity for global asset allocation and cross-border risk management. They also create more favourable conditions for the further development of cross-border factoring business.
India saw an important regulatory development in June, with the Reserve Bank of India issuing new Master Directions for the Trade Receivables Discounting System. The updated framework is designed to strengthen MSME access to receivables finance by simplifying seller onboarding, allowing credit guarantee cover for financiers, and supporting broader lender participation. These reforms reinforce TReDS as a key digital infrastructure for invoice discounting and working capital finance in India, supporting more efficient access to liquidity for smaller businesses.
Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe
Georgia has introduced a dedicated Factoring Law, marking a landmark step for the country’s receivables finance market. Developed through collaboration between the National Bank of Georgia, EBRD, IFC and the World Bank, the law establishes a clear legal framework, prohibits debtors from restricting receivables transfers, and mandates a centralised factoring registry. FCI has closely followed this journey and remains committed to supporting Georgian factors, facilitating cross-border business and contributing to the continued growth of the market.
Middle East
Across the Middle East, digital invoicing infrastructure continued to advance, creating stronger foundations for future receivables finance and supply chain finance growth. In the UAE, updated e-invoicing guidelines provided further clarity for businesses and service providers as implementation moves closer. Saudi Arabia also reached another milestone in its phased Fatoora integration programme, supporting greater invoice transparency, automation and compliance across the market. Together, these developments signal continued regional progress towards more digital, transparent and scalable trade finance infrastructure.
Western Europe
In Western Europe, Italy continued to demonstrate the resilience of receivables-based finance, with supply chain finance and factoring volumes both recording year-on-year growth in the first five months of 2026. These figures highlight the continued importance of factoring and payables-linked finance in supporting liquidity, payment cycles and supplier relationships. In the UK, further digitisation of invoice finance processes also progressed, with lenders increasingly using automated data collection to streamline onboarding and strengthen working-capital finance delivery.
These developments reflect the continued momentum behind receivables finance globally, as markets strengthen legal frameworks, advance digital infrastructure and create new opportunities for domestic and international business. FCI will continue to follow these regional developments closely and support its members in navigating the evolving factoring and receivables finance landscape.