MEII runs a number of programs to improve access to credit in the MENA region. Each of our programs fall under one of our four pillars of operation. MEII creates a specialized, country-specific, specialized approach to improving the SME sector. Read more about each of our programs below.
Launched in 2008, MEII’s West Bank/Gaza Loan Guarantee Facility (LGF) is designed to address weaknesses in the Palestinian credit markets and stimulate lending to SMEs in the Palestinian territories. Backed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), LGF provides local banks with credit support and technical assistance to meet the working and long-term capital needs of their SME clients.


Launched in 2008, MEII’s West Bank/Gaza Loan Guarantee Facility (LGF) is designed to address weaknesses in the Palestinian credit markets and stimulate lending to SMEs in the Palestinian territories. Backed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), LGF provides local banks with credit support and technical assistance to meet the working and long-term capital needs of their SME clients.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) developed a multi-million, multi-year guarantee facility (SGF) and technical assistance program (TAP) to support the marginalized economies of East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and Area C of the West Bank.
The Tunisia Credit Guarantee Facility (TCGF) stimulates SME lending by providing local banks with guarantees for loans to bankable franchises and SMEs. Working with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and USAID, MEII is promoting the nascent franchising sector in Tunisia, while supporting bankable Tunisian SMEs access finance by through a US $50 million loan guarantee facility.




The Tunisia Credit Guarantee Facility (TCGF) stimulates SME lending by providing local banks with guarantees for loans to bankable franchises and SMEs. Working with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and USAID, MEII is promoting the nascent franchising sector in Tunisia, while supporting bankable Tunisian SMEs to access finance through a US $50 million loan guarantee facility.
The objective of the Tamweeli ASSIST program is to help very small, small and medium-sized enterprises (VSE-SME) to improve the financial management of their businesses. Tamweeli supports VSEs and SMEs in the process of adopting commercial and accounting management software, covering 80% of the costs:
- Identification of business needs
- Software installation
- Training and initiation to use
- Assistance in understanding the operation of software
- Analysis of financial statements and indicators
Introduction Video - Tamweeli Assist Tunisia

Tamweeli ACADEMY offers educational training tailored to the needs of businesses. The training courses are remote and / or in-person, and cover a variety of themes in fields such as accounting, finance and business management.
Why Tamweeli ACADEMY?
- It's simple: Simple, concrete content designed by expert trainers.
- It's convenient: Lessons delivered in the form of short videos that allow you to train at your own pace.
- It's interactive: Real-time, online interaction and discussion sessions with the trainers.
- It's flexible: Remote, in-person or hybrid training.
The Tamweeli Platform harnesses the security, speed, and simplicity of the Internet to streamline the financing process for both financial intermediaries & SMEs – connecting businesses with funding options while allowing financial intermediaries to better assess opportunities. The platform enables entrepreneurs to present financing requests anonymously and efficiently to multiple financial intermediaries in a standardized format, saving time, expenses, and travel inconveniences. Financial intermediaries can view high-level pitches from entrepreneurs and express their interest to entrepreneurs via the platform. An entrepreneur can then decide if he/she wishes to proceed by inviting the interested financial intermediary to sign a confidentiality agreement via the platform, which will grant the financial intermediary access to the details of the financing requirements, including the identity, credit application, business plan, and financial statements of the entrepreneur.



MEII is in the process of raising a regional risk capital fund called Sharaka Capital Fund (the “Fund”). “Sharaka”, which means “partnership” in Arabic, will serve as a risk capital investment vehicle to finance Small and Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”) in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Palestine. MEII is targeting a first close of $50 million to launch Phase 1 operations in Egypt and most likely Jordan, or in another market where MEII has an existing base of operations. MEII will seek a second close of $125 million for Phase 2 to grow operations, including additional target countries, followed by a final close of $250 million for Phase 3 to complete the Fund.