UAE fintech platform Botim has partnered with payments firm Geidea to launch a new small-business lending programme, offering loans ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh500,000 to more than 30,000 merchants in its initial rollout.
The financing is aimed at limited liability companies and sole proprietorships, with repayment terms of up to 12 months. According to Botim, the funds are intended to cover cash-flow needs, payroll, equipment purchases and business expansion for the UAE's micro and small enterprises.
What sets the programme apart is its approach to credit risk: rather than relying on conventional banking criteria, Botim uses AI-based models that evaluate transaction data, cash-flow patterns and credit behaviour to speed up approvals and reduce paperwork for applicants.
"We want to build around the reality of how these businesses operate, removing unnecessary friction," said Dr Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO of Botim.
Pankaj Kundra, CEO of Geidea UAE, added that combining payments and funding under one platform helps businesses "access the tools they need to invest, expand and capture opportunities."
The announcement, made this week, comes as part of a broader push by both government bodies and private players in the UAE to widen access to credit for small and medium enterprises, which account for a significant share of the country's non-oil economy. Industry observers say easier access to working capital could support growth among smaller merchants in the coming months, particularly those that have traditionally struggled to meet the collateral requirements of conventional bank loans.