Mubasher: Mastercard has initiated a regional resilience program aimed at supporting SMEs across the MENA region while establishing a coordinated ecosystem of financial tools and policy support.
Under the name ‘Built Small. Moving Strong,’ the new program will help businesses navigate supply chain disruptions and tightening credit conditions, according to a press release.
With SMEs representing more than 90% of all businesses in the MENA region, the enterprises face mounting pressure from rising energy costs and trade instability. In addition, they contribute between 50% and 60% of GDP and employment, making their stability central to regional economic diversification agendas.
Executive Vice President, Commercial and New Payment Flows, EEMEA at Mastercard, Onur Kursun, said: “SMEs are not just adapting to change - they are absorbing its impact in real time.”
Kursun noted: “What matters now is ensuring businesses have access to liquidity, actionable insights, and digital capabilities that allow them to keep operating and position themselves for recovery.”
The official concluded: “This initiative reflects the power of partnership in delivering that support at scale.”
Ecosystem Partnerships
Through the initiated program, Mastercard is working alongside public and private sector partners to amplify support for SMEs through key initiatives.
With First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) through the launch of a three-tier SME commercial card suite designed to enhance working capital flexibility, expense control and payment visibility.
Another initiative is with The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK), which committed approximately AED 2 billion in additional credit limits for both existing-to-bank and new-to-bank customers, spanning secured lending, term loans, trade finance and working capital solutions.
RAKBANK’ partnership includes deferrals granted to around 1,700 trade and working capital customers with total limits of AED 2.20 billion, as well as 2,320 retail business lending customers with outstanding balances of AED 680 million.
With Merchants; as part of a Mastercard campaign, SMEs spending over AED 3,000 abroad using their Mastercard cards can claim an AED 300 Amazon voucher.
With Female Fusion; an entrepreneurs’ network reaching more than 60,000 SMEs and founders, delivering a joint interactive session on 8 May, bringing together entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners to explore insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute, cyber resilience strategies and practical tools to support business performance.
With Pemo; a market campaign to support SMEs, offering up to AED 500 when spending with their Pemo cards until the end of June 2026.
Looking Ahead
Mastercard’s Kursun said: “Resilience is not built in isolation - it is enabled through collaboration, innovation and access.”
For growth, the official noted: “When small businesses are equipped with the right tools and supported by a strong ecosystem, they don’t just withstand disruption, they emerge stronger, more agile and ready to lead the next phase of economic growth.”
On the global level, Mastercard has already surpassed its goal of bringing 50 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the digital economy, and is now advancing a new target to connect and protect 500 million individuals and small businesses by 2030, reinforcing its long-term commitment to inclusive and resilient growth.
