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Invest in MENA

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The SANAD Fund finances underfunded micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa to support entrepreneurs and deliver sustainable returns

$557M

Assets under management 

$1B

Cumulative investments since inception 

10

Active investment countries

$2.3B

Volume of sub-loans facilitated to businesses and households 

448,000*

Indirect jobs supported*  

48,600

People benefitting from Advisory & Capacity Building services

Figures as of Q4 2025

* Figures are modeled by the SANAD Fund based on primary reporting and third-party data

Promising MSMEs need support

These businesses are essential to growth and opportunity in the MENA region

MENA-based MSMEs contribute nearly two-thirds of the region's GDP and almost 75% of employment. Yet, they struggle to secure funding. 


Many businesses are still excluded from the formal financial system as they fail to meet financial institutions' lending criteria. 
 

This funding shortfall disproportionately affects young, female and rural entrepreneurs.
 

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We prepare them for success

We deliver targeted financing and tailored Advisory & Capacity Building services

We finance promising MSMEs via our local financial institution partners. 

 

We then work with our partners to strengthen their outreach to MSMEs. In parallel, we offer advisory services directly to MSMEs, enhancing their ability to access finance by equipping them with the right skills and tools.

 

Through financing, and Advisory & Capacity Building services, we create opportunities in the critical MENA region. Not only do we support innovation, growth and employment in this underfunded market, we contribute to stability and prosperity in neighbouring Europe. 

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At SANAD, we’re focused on real impact—supporting the people and small businesses that are building stronger, more resilient communities across MENA and sub-Saharan Africa. Especially in challenging times, that mission matters more than ever.

 

Learn more

Sandra Rohleder, Board Chair

It takes a specialist to invest in this market

Our manager, Finance in Motion, has had a presence in the MENA region for 14 years. 


We are intimately attuned to market dynamics and have built close relationships with MSMEs, financial institutions and sectoral partners.  
 

Our local presence also means our specialists can anticipate risks and swiftly respond to investees’ needs.
 

map June 25 2025

What makes SANAD special

Unique access

Unique access

Local expertise through teams on the ground

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MSMEs

MSMEs

Strong focus on micro & small businesses

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Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking

Catalyst for innovation

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Resilience

Resilience

Proven platform for crisis response

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Flexibility

Flexibility

Local currency lending

local currency

Sustainability

Sustainability

Long term institutional building

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Insights

Tunisia

Breaking the 1Billion with a Milestone Investment in Tunisia

SANAD’s investment in Arab Tunisian Lease (ATL) is more than a single transaction. It also marked a defining moment for the fund: reaching the milestone of USD 1 billion invested in the region since inception. For the fund’s investors, it is a clear signal of both scale and discipline, growth anchored in local partnerships, practical financing, and support that continues well after the papers are signed. 

how we manage impact

Investing in Her: Turning Ambition into Growth

Across MENA and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), women entrepreneurs are building solutions for financial access and jobs, often facing tighter capital constraints. To help them in securing much needed capital, in 2025, SANAD’s Advisory & Capacity Building arm launched the Advancing Women Entrepreneurship in MENA & SSA accelerator program. The cross-regional platform is designed to equip up to 40 female-led or oriented startups with tailored capacity building, mentoring, and clearer pathways to capital. 

impact story 2

Financing Palestinian MSMEs to sustain jobs

Across the Palestinian Territories, where ongoing crisis and economic disruption continue to strain businesses and financial systems, access to capital is often the difference between survival and closure. In this environment, the SANAD Fund for MSMEs plays a critical role by strengthening the resilience of its partner financial institutions, enabling them to continue serving their clients despite severe operational disruptions. 

Information for investors

Sorry, in respect of the United States of America, Canada, Japan or Australia or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution, offer, sale, transfer or resale would be prohibited by applicable law, no investment in notes/shares or other instruments of the Fund (or its sub-fund(s)) can be offered or made.

SANAD Fund for MSME | Financing & Advisory for Entrepreneurs in MENA & Sub‑Saharan Africa