The Middle East’s SME sector is evolving rapidly as banks and entrepreneurs align to diversify economies beyond traditional industries.

Regional Winner | Qatar Islamic Bank

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) is Qatar’s largest Islamic financial institution. It has long played a crucial role in supporting the nation’s SMEs, providing financial products and other tools that SMEs need to launch, grow, and scale. With more than 19,200 SME customers (roughly 17,000 of whom are digitally active), the bank now has an estimated market share of 19%.

The bank’s Shariah-compliant financing products include working capital and asset finance, murabaha-based trade finance, and letters of credit and guarantees. The bank also offers green financing options for SMEs’ sustainable business investments, in alignment with its Sustainable Products Framework.

QIB employs dedicated relationship teams to serve the SME market. Advisory programs and digital platforms offer further hands-on support. For example, the Aamaly program and platform offer SMEs assistance in structuring deals, support in accessing government programs, guidance for financial reporting, and advice for business development. The goal of these programs is to position QIB as a trusted partner for the growth of SMEs.

The bank has made significant investments in technology: modernizing its infrastructure, improving cybersecurity, and expanding its mobile-first offerings. As a result, SMEs now can enjoy account management, onboarding, financing requests, and adviser communications, all as digital functions. The bank has also embedded AI functions into its credit evaluation processes—ensuring unbiased, data-driven risk assessments and speeding up decision-making.