Mastercard and Meta collaborate to support the digitisation and growth of SMEs in the MEA region through the organisation of a training webinar.
Insights and a masterclass
Mastercard is collaborating with Meta to support the digitisation and growth of SMEs across the MEA region by organising a training webinar that will provide insights from industry experts, and a masterclass on how to manage uncertainty from author and academic Nathan Furr, Associate Professor of Strategy at INSEAD. The event will take place on Wednesday, 8 December at 14.00 Gulf Standard Time.
Access to credit, data, training and digital tools are among the key challenges faced by SMEs. These issues are complicated by infrastructure limitations and power supply interruptions in some MEA markets. As a result, SMEs must adapt to a growing hybrid environment with a demand for ecommerce and new payment options.
Challenges
“The challenges that small and medium businesses continue to experience as a result of COVID-19 are significant, and we remain firmly committed to supporting them in both recovering and, in due time, thriving. We have an important role to play, providing the necessary digital skills for startups and small businesses to survive, recover and deliver results online and offline. We are continuing those training efforts in partnership with Mastercard, helping further boost a burgeoning start-up ecosystem to positively impact socio-economic growth across the region,” said Derya Matras, Vice President, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Meta.
Growing confidence
According to Mastercard’s latest reports, small businesses in the Middle East and Africa are reclaiming confidence. The recent 2021 Mastercard MEA SME Confidence Index found 74% of SMEs in the region are optimistic about future growth, guided by the potential for digitalisation, better data, access to credit and upskilling.
Through technology services, cyber assessments, insights, grants, digital training, mentoring platforms and knowledge initiatives, Mastercard will contribute $250 million over five years to support small businesses’ financial security globally. As part of its goal to build a more sustainable and inclusive world, Mastercard has committed to connect 50 million small businesses, including 25 million women entrepreneurs globally, to the digital economy by 2025.
To register for the webinar, click here.
