An Innovative Development Finance Initiative.

The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that leverages public and private resources to deliver finance and technical assistance programs that stimulate sustainable economic activity and long-lasting job creation in the Middle East and North Africa. MEII is not a top-heavy organization. Rather, we build local teams in countries where we work to ensure that our innovative programs are optimized to meet the needs of each community where we operate.

20130415145734

An Innovative Development Finance Initiative.

20130415145734

The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that leverages public and private resources to deliver finance and technical assistance programs to stimulate sustainable economic activity and long-lasting job creation in the Middle East and North Africa. MEII is not a top-heavy organization. Rather, we build local teams in the countries where we work to ensure our innovative programs are optimized to meet the needs of the markets where we operate.

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Beneficiaries

Our programs work with entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). 

 

Funders

Our funding comes from donors, development finance institutions (DFIs), and investors.

Partners

MEII partners with local financial intermediaries including banks, MFIs, leasing companies, accounting firms, business development firms, and local investors. 

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Our Mission

Founded with the conviction that the path to social and political stability in the MENA region requires a sound and sustainable economic base, the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) breaks from traditional aid models by designing innovative development finance initiatives that foster economic opportunities and dignity instead of dependency.

We identify sound businesses and promising entrepreneurs. We provide them with targeted technical assistance and facilitate access to finance to help them achieve transformative growth.

Testimonial

"MEII’s efforts, and others like it, will help create badly needed jobs, catalyze millions more in business investment, and contribute to a more stable and secure region, and world."

- Senator George Mitchell, Former U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace & Senate Majority Leader

Our Approach

MEII’s core capability revolves around using financial instruments such as debt, equity, guarantees, leasing, insurance, microfinance, mortgage finance, and derivatives. Coupled with targeted technical assistance and capacity building, we work with local partners to foster economic development and job creation. We recognize the importance of financial inclusion, whether in the form of access to credit, affordable housing loans, or banking for the poor. We have a successful track record of designing and deploying financial programs that strike a healthy balance between development and profits to stimulate sustainable economic development and growth in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Success Story

“I always dreamt of one day owning my own business, and after the necessary experience, I finally had the foundation to go out on my own. I applied for a Tamweeli loan after attending a workshop and secured a $3,000 loan from Asala. Thank you, Tamweeli!”

- Ms. Sawsan is an experienced tailor, specializing in traditional Palestinian embroidery work. She wanted to start her own business in an old shop in Hebron that belonged to her family.

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Our Model for Success

Four Pillar Approach

We identify sound businesses and promising entrepreneurs. We provide them with targeted technical assistance and facilitate access to finance to help them achieve transformative growth. All of MEII's programs fall under one of these four strategic pillars. 

SMEs via Financial Intermediaries

Stimulate local bank and MFI lending to SMEs through a combination of (i) partial loan guarantees to address perceived risk, and (ii) Technical Assistance to introduce new lending techniques (cash flow lending)

SME Technical Assistance

Focused advisory services to SMEs to improve their accounting acumen and overall financial literacy 

Tamweeli

FinTech matchmaking platform that facilitates financial inclusion by directly connecting borrowers and creditors

Missing Middle SMEs

Innovative regional risk capital fund to finance Missing Middle SMEs that are unable to access funding. A unique product designed to better align interests of investors with SMEs

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