Mastercard has launched Built Small. Moving Strong, a regional resilience program designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they navigate a challenging operating environment marked by supply chain disruption and tightening financial conditions.
Across MENA, SMEs account for more than 90% of all businesses and contribute between 50–60% of GDP and employment, making them a cornerstone of economic stability and diversification agendas. However, regional instability – including trade disruptions and rising energy and logistics costs – has placed increasing strain on small enterprises.
Insights from global institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund show that SMEs in conflict-affected markets face significant revenue pressures, disrupted trade flows and rising operating costs, with many reporting sharp declines in income and constrained access to finance.
Aligned with Government Priorities
The program aligns with regional government priorities to strengthen SME ecosystems as part of broader economic transformation agendas, including focus on entrepreneurship, digitalization and private sector growth. Initiatives developed in collaboration with government entities will aim to ease operational burdens through licensing support, enablement programs and targeted SME initiatives.
Mastercard’s role within this ecosystem is anchored in enabling resilient infrastructure – ensuring payments continue to flow, businesses remain connected to customers and suppliers, and digital tools are accessible at scale.
Globally, Mastercard has already surpassed its goal of bringing 50 million micro, small and medium enterprises 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.
