Qashio, the leading spend management platform headquartered in Dubai, has announced the launch of “Qashio For You”, a targeted initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Dubai. The programme is being rolled out in collaboration with Dubai Chambers, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening the emirate’s business ecosystem during a period of economic pressure.

Running until the end of June 2026, the initiative will provide more than AED 10 million worth of financial relief and welcome bonuses to support Dubai-based businesses.

The launch comes at a time when SMEs continue to play a critical role in Dubai’s economy, accounting for over 95% of all companies in the UAE and contributing significantly to employment and GDP.

Positioned as a community-first initiative, “Qashio For You” acknowledges the operational and financial pressures facing SMEs and aims to provide practical, immediate relief. Being a Dubai born and Headquartered business have always and will continue to trust and believe in Dubai, Qashio have never outsourced their functions  or software development to cheaper hubs in other countries but rather always built in the place we call home.

Through the programme, eligible businesses will receive benefits while accessing Qashio’s platform with no set-up fees, deferred payments as needed, easing short-term cash flow pressures. Depending on their selected plan, businesses may also receive up to 75,000 Qashio points that can be converted to Skywards Miles through Emirates, or Jumeirah ONE points further supporting the local economy.

SME’s can also choose to redeem their Qashio points for uncapped cashbacks without any delays that further supports immediate cashflow needs. These rewards and financial benefits are complemented by a series of educational webinars designed to help SMEs strengthen financial resilience, improve cost control, and navigate the current  market conditions with greater confidence.

Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO of Qashio, said, “In challenging market conditions, access to liquidity, control, and tangible rewards while managing cashback can make a measurable difference to how businesses operate and come out on the otherside of this resiliently and stronger. ‘Qashio For You’ is a reflection of our commitment to the Dubai business community — not just as a service provider, but as a partner invested in their long-term success. By combining financial tools with meaningful incentives, we are aiming to deliver immediate and practical value.”

Beyond financial incentives, Qashio is also building a dedicated community channel to engage participating businesses through ongoing education, events, and knowledge-sharing. This includes a structured programme of webinars and resources aimed at helping SMEs navigate financial planning, cost optimisation, and growth strategies.

As Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, initiatives such as “Qashio For You” underscore the importance of ecosystem-driven support where government entities, private sector players, and global partners collaborate to deliver tangible outcomes for businesses on the ground.

By Mayada Baydas, Ph.D., Vice President – Financial Inclusion, botim 

For years, the story of fintech in MENA has been told through product launches: faster payments, cheaper remittances, advanced interfaces, enhanced experiences, micro-savings, and instant credit. But the next unlock for the region may not lie in new features or enhancements at all. It lies in something more foundational and far more powerful: Digital financial literacy (DFL).

Today, access is not the challenge. While over 68% of the world population is online, and the number of fintechs globally is rising, 1.3 billion adults remained unbanked globally in 2024.  The picture in MENA is no different. The region hosts more than 1000 fintechs, and internet penetration is over 100%, yet 64% of adults remained unbanked in 2024. In other words, the ecosystem is rich with solutions, but the real gap lies in knowledge and ability. 

This is where DFL becomes transformative. It equips users with the understanding and confidence to navigate digital financial tools in ways that genuinely serve their needs, whether that’s sending money home, paying bills, setting small budgets, investing, or avoiding scams. And while this capability may seem subtle, its impact is anything but. DFL is quickly becoming the most efficient route to building trust, increasing usage, and driving long-term adoption in a region where smartphone penetration is nearly universal, yet digital confidence remains uneven.

The GCC Leading Financial Inclusion

Let’s zoom into the GCC, the region leading the charge in MENA. It sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest remittance ecosystems. Migrant and low-income workers send millions of dollars home every year. In 2024, remittances to low-and middle-income countries reached $685 billion, surpassing both foreign direct investment and global aid.

Recognizing this strategic position, regulators and fintechs are working together to turn access into meaningful participation. In the UAE, the Central Bank (CBUAE) collaborates closely with fintechs through initiatives such as the FinTech Regulatory Laboratory and the National Financial Literacy Strategy. These frameworks expand access while guiding fintechs to design safe, inclusive, and user-friendly services. In Saudi Arabia, the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) and the Saudi Payments ecosystem combine access with behavioral frameworks that foster trust, responsible usage, and long-term adoption.

Regulators set the standards, provide oversight, and create the frameworks for safe and responsible digital finance. Fintechs take these frameworks and translate them into innovative products and services that meet real user needs. Together, they are shaping an environment where financial inclusion is not just a policy goal but a lived reality.

Digital financial literacy is the bridge between infrastructure and participation. Without it, the region risks building highways that millions do not feel safe enough to drive on.

From Access to Ability: What We Learned at botim

When I joined Botim, our hypothesis was simple: If an app can connect people, it can also build their financial capability. A year later, more than 2 million users on Botim are fully KYC-verified, and many are now using our financial features, from remittances to small lines of credit. But their adoption has never been the result of features alone. It has been the result of trust, clarity, and understanding.

Botim is a simple, familiar tool used daily by millions to stay connected. Its reach, especially among communities often overlooked by traditional financial systems, offered a unique opportunity. By unifying remittances, payments, salary tools, credit, savings, and multi-currency accounts under Botim Money, we created a single ecosystem that lets users manage their finances seamlessly within a platform they already trust.

As the platform transformed, one insight became clear: with its communications foundation, Botim is not just a tool for access but a vehicle to educate and empower users. By raising awareness about digital financial services and embedding knowledge and know-how, we enhance our users’ capability to make financial decisions and take actions, thereby increasing their confidence and resilience along their journey towards financial health.

Digital financial literacy is central to our mission. With our scale and reach, we are integrating technology responsibly to deliver a positive impact along the user financial journey.

DFL must be embedded, not added

People do not build financial capability by reading manuals; they learn by doing, seeing results, and repeating them. Behavioral science, from Fogg (2019) to Kolb (1984), shows that meaningful change comes from action, not theory. This is why digital financial literacy cannot sit outside the experience. It needs to be part of the user journey itself. Short, contextual prompts at the right moment can clarify a first remittance, flag a potential scam, explain fees, or help someone set a simple savings goal. GSMA findings show that these in-journey cues improve digital-task completion by 30 to 40 percent compared to passive instruction, proving that micro-moments matter.

Looking ahead, many platforms are extending this approach across core areas such as secure account practices, understanding fees, responsible borrowing, cross-border transfer basics, and fraud or scam awareness. These prompts work because they appear where decisions are made, helping users avoid mistakes, recognize risk, and understand the steps they are taking.

As digital finance continues to grow across the region, strengthening these practical, real-time touchpoints will be essential to making participation safer and more accessible.

At a time when global markets are still navigating uncertainty, the UAE is taking a steady, pre-emptive approach rather than waiting for pressure to build.

At its latest board meeting, chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) made it clear that the country’s financial system remains on solid ground. More importantly, it is choosing to reinforce that position now, while conditions are stable, through a newly approved Financial Institution Resilience Package.

The message is straightforward: the UAE is not reacting to a crisis, it is preparing for one.

A system that’s holding firm

According to the CBUAE, the UAE’s banking sector has so far absorbed global and regional pressures without any meaningful disruption. That’s not entirely surprising given the underlying numbers.

The country’s banking sector stands at Dh5.4 trillion, supported by foreign exchange reserves of over Dh1 trillion. Liquidity levels are equally strong, with around Dh920 billion held at the central bank and more than Dh400 billion in reserve balances.

In simple terms, banks in the UAE are well-capitalised, liquid, and operating from a position of strength.

Why act now?

So why introduce a support package at this stage?

The answer lies in maintaining momentum. Rather than tightening conditions or waiting for external shocks to filter through, the central bank is giving financial institutions more room to operate, ensuring they can continue lending, supporting businesses, and financing growth.

The package itself is built around five key areas. It gives banks greater access to liquidity, eases some funding and capital requirements temporarily, and allows flexibility in how certain loans are classified, particularly for customers affected by current market conditions.

It also enables banks to tap into up to 30% of their reserve requirements and access liquidity in both dirhams and US dollars, which could prove important if global funding conditions tighten.

A confidence signal as much as a policy move

Beyond the mechanics, this is also about signalling.

In uncertain environments, confidence plays a major role in how markets behave. By stepping in early and backing the move with strong reserves, the UAE is reinforcing trust across investors, businesses, and financial institutions.

Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO of Qashio, sees it as a reflection of long-term thinking rather than short-term reaction. He said, “This is a highly commendable initiative by the UAE Central Bank and a clear demonstration of forward-looking economic leadership.

The proactive resilience package reflects a strong level of preparedness and disciplined planning, reinforcing confidence in the UAE’s financial system at a time when global uncertainty remains a key consideration. Backed by substantial reserves, it sends a powerful signal of stability and prudent oversight.

What is particularly notable is the strength of the top-down support—ensuring that financial institutions are not only protected but also empowered to continue supporting businesses and the wider economy. This approach safeguards the momentum of growth while reinforcing trust across investors, partners, and the broader business community.

Ultimately, this initiative further strengthens the UAE’s position as a resilient and highly trusted economic hub, building on an already robust and dynamic business environment that continues to thrive.”

What it means for the real economy

While this is a financial sector move on paper, its impact will be felt more broadly, especially in areas like real estate, where access to credit is critical.

With more flexibility on capital buffers and funding ratios, banks are expected to have greater capacity to lend, particularly in the mortgage space.

Abdulla Lahej, Chairman of Amaal, points to a likely knock-on effect in the property market. He said, “The recent measures by the Central Bank of the UAE signal a clear commitment to sustaining liquidity and credit flow across the economy. With over AED 920 billion in available liquidity and reserves exceeding AED 400 billion, banks are well-positioned to expand mortgage lending. Easing capital buffers and funding ratios will directly support homebuyers through improved loan accessibility and pricing. For the real estate sector, this will translate into stronger mortgage uptake, increased transaction volumes, and renewed investor confidence. Overall, these steps will reinforce market stability while creating favourable conditions for sustained property demand and long-term sector growth.”

Staying ahead, not catching up

What stands out in this move is timing. The UAE isn’t waiting for stress to appear in the system. Instead, it is creating additional buffers while conditions are still favourable. That approach has become a defining feature of its financial strategy, intervening early, but in a measured way.

The central bank has also made it clear that it is ready to introduce further measures if needed, suggesting this is part of a broader, ongoing effort rather than a one-off step. For businesses and investors, that consistency matters. It provides a level of predictability that is often missing in more volatile markets.

In a global environment where many economies are still adjusting to shifting financial conditions, the UAE’s approach is relatively simple: protect stability, keep credit flowing, and avoid disruption before it starts.