UAE-based digital platform Botim has launched a digital lending service for micro and small businesses, offering financing of between Dh10,000 and Dh500,000 to help companies manage cash flow, pay salaries, purchase equipment and fund expansion.
The new service, called Botim Business SME Lending, was announced on Tuesday in partnership with fintech and payments provider Geidea. It offers repayment periods of up to 12 months and is designed to give smaller businesses quicker access to working capital.
Geidea will make the financing available to eligible merchants within its UAE network. The initial rollout, supported by Geidea and Botim’s wider partners, is expected to reach more than 30,000 merchants.
The service targets micro and small enterprises, including limited liability companies and sole proprietorships. It uses artificial intelligence-based tools to assess applicants’ financial profiles, drawing on transaction records, cash flow information and credit behaviour.
According to the companies, the data is collected during the onboarding process or obtained through participating business partners where available. The approach is intended to speed up eligibility assessments and help determine loan amounts that reflect each business’s financial position and operating cycle.
The launch comes as the UAE continues efforts to improve access to finance for smaller companies. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises account for about 94% of businesses in the country and contribute more than 60% of non-oil gross domestic product, according to the announcement.
Despite their economic contribution, many small businesses continue to face difficulties securing working capital because of strict eligibility requirements and lengthy application procedures.
Botim Chief Executive Dr Tariq Bin Hendi said micro enterprises account for around 70% of the UAE’s small and medium-sized enterprises, with many owners seeking formal business financing for the first time.
“We want to build around the reality of how these businesses operate, removing unnecessary friction so owners can access the capital they need and focus on growing their businesses,” Bin Hendi said.
He added that the UAE had set a target of reaching one million small and medium-sized enterprises by 2030, with technology expected to play a role in supporting business development.
Geidea UAE Chief Executive Pankaj Kundra said the partnership would offer merchants a more connected way to access financial services.
“By bringing together payments and funding, we are helping businesses access the tools they need to invest, expand and capture new opportunities,” Kundra said.
The service combines digital payment information with financing assessments to help eligible businesses obtain funds for day-to-day operations and longer-term growth. Its initial reach of more than 30,000 merchants will provide the first indication of demand for the new lending option among UAE businesses.
