Mastercard and Meta are set to assist SMEs in Africa

Mastercard and Meta are collaborating to support the digitization and growth of SMEs in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region by hosting a training webinar with industry experts and a masterclass on how to manage uncertainty with renowned author and academic Nathan Furr, Associate Professor of Strategy at INSEAD.

SMEs face numerous challenges, including loans, data, training, and digital tools, which are exacerbated by infrastructure constraints and power outages in some MEA economies. SMEs must adapt to a growing hybrid environment with a desire for e-commerce and new payment options, as research increasingly indicates that offering choice is important.

“As a result of COVID-19, small and medium-sized businesses continue to face significant challenges, and we are committed to assisting them in recovering and, eventually, succeeding.” We play an important role in ensuring that start-ups and small businesses have the digital skills they need to survive, recover, and produce results both online and offline. “We’re continuing our training efforts in collaboration with Mastercard to help strengthen a developing start-up ecosystem and positively impact socioeconomic progress throughout the region,” said Derya Matras, Meta’s VP of Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of local communities, propelled forward by the global economy.” During the epidemic, the SME market was severely harmed due to a lack of scale and funds. Entrepreneurs and small business owners require more resources, insights, tools, and solutions than ever before to recover from the pandemic’s effects and grow. Ajmal, Amnah

Over the next five years, Mastercard will donate $250 million to improve the financial security of small businesses around the world through technological services, cyber assessments, insights, grants, digital training, mentoring platforms, and knowledge projects.

As part of its goal to create a more sustainable and inclusive society, Mastercard has pledged to connect 50 million small businesses, including 25 million women entrepreneurs, to the digital economy by 2025.

The event will take place on Wednesday, December 8th at 12h00 SAST.

For more information, please see the website.