Numou, a subsidiary of ADGM, announced a significant expansion of its lending partner network, strengthening its position as a groundbreaking digital lending marketplace.
The platform now features collaborations with leading institutions, including the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and private credit providers such as Credible-X, Klubworks, and NymCard Payment Technologies.
With the goal of transforming the financing landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, this state-of-the-art platform provides a seamless, fully digital application process, empowering businesses to access a diverse range of financial products while connecting them directly with lenders suited to their unique needs.
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GDP push
With SMEs constituting an impressive 94 percent of all companies in the UAE and contributing approximately 40 percent to the national GDP, their role in the economy is vital. Yet, despite their significance, securing adequate and timely financing remains a persistent challenge for many SMEs. Recent data from the UAE Central Bank highlights the issue, showing that loans to SMEs account for just 9.5 percent of the total cumulative financial facilities extended to the commercial and industrial sectors.
Recognizing this gap, Numou has introduced a digital platform designed to address these challenges by simplifying the lending process, increasing transparency, and enabling competition among lenders to drive better outcomes for SMEs.
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, said: “Numou exemplifies ADGM’s commitment to empowering SMEs as a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s economy. By leveraging innovation and collaboration, this platform simplifies access to critical financing, fostering sustainable growth and strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for business and investment.”
Khalifa Al Zaabi, general manager of Numou, said: “Numou is more than just a digital lending platform—it’s a transformative tool for SMEs to unlock their full potential. By bringing together a comprehensive suite of lending options on a single platform, we’re enabling businesses to access the capital they need to grow faster and more efficiently. Numou is also a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to supporting the SME sector. It complements various initiatives aimed at enhancing SME access to funding, market opportunities, capacity-building programs, and overall ease of doing business.”
What does Numou offer?
For SMEs, it offers a streamlined application process. Businesses submit a single, standardized online application that meets the varying requirements of multiple lenders. This eliminates the need for repeated paperwork and physical visits to branches, significantly saving time and effort.
The platform also provides visibility into lenders’ interest rates, loan terms, and turnaround times, empowering SMEs to make informed decisions that best suit their financing needs.
For financial institutions, it provides efficient credit assessment. Lenders receive well-organized, standardized applications that streamline their internal credit assessment processes. This minimizes the need for redundant data validation, accelerating approval timelines.
Numou also collaborates with lenders to explore innovative financial solutions tailored for SMEs, fostering a shared commitment to economic growth and business development.
Strategic partnerships
To further enhance its offerings, Numou is actively expanding its network to include digital and traditional banks, ensuring SMEs have access to a broader range of financing options and innovative products. This growing network reflects Numou’s mission to deliver a one-stop solution for SME financing in the UAE.
Wider offerings
In the coming months, the platform plans to broaden its offerings with the introduction of supply chain financing (factoring) and in the future to extend to equity financing. These additions will provide SMEs with even greater flexibility and access to capital, ensuring they can tackle new challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
These future developments align closely with the UAE’s broader vision of fostering a dynamic, diversified economy, where SMEs play a pivotal role in sustainable growth and innovation. By expanding its suite of financial products, Numou aims to solidify its position as the go-to platform for SME financing, supporting businesses at every stage of their journey.
