Mastercard, Banque du Liban Partner to Boost Women-Led SMEs

Mastercard has announced a new partnership with the Banque du Liban and other industry stakeholders to drive digital payment acceptance in Lebanon, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to facilitate businesses in embracing digital payment solutions, enhance their involvement in the digital economy, and unlock new avenues for sustainable growth.

Through the collaboration, Mastercard will support programs focused on expanding digital payment acceptance, advancing financial inclusion, and enabling businesses to benefit from the growing digital economy. The initiative aims to place SMEs and women-led business activities at the heart of actions for greater access to digital financial services and their capacity to access their customers, conduct their business activities and extend their line of business.

The partnership signals the growing significance of digital payments for businesses as they increasingly navigate a digital world and work with their customers. Digital payments can prove beneficial to SMEs in the areas of business efficiency, resilience and opportunities to attract a broader customer base. An increased availability of digital financial tools can help supplement women entrepreneurs' participation and provide them with access to avenues for growth.

Key Highlights

• Mastercard partners Banque du Liban to expand digital payment acceptance
• Initiative focuses on SMEs and women entrepreneurs across Lebanon
• Collaboration promotes financial inclusion, business growth and digital adoption

Speaking about the collaboration, Mohamed Assem, Country Manager for Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq at Mastercard, highlighted the importance of digital payment acceptance in strengthening the wider business ecosystem.

“At Mastercard, we believe that acceptance is the foundation of a thriving digital economy,” said Mohamed Assem, Country Manager for Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq, Mastercard. “Through this collaboration with Banque du Liban, we are supporting SMEs and women entrepreneurs access the tools, capabilities and resources they need to embrace digital payments, reach more customers and participate more fully in the digital economy.”

For women entrepreneurs in particular, access to suitable digital payment infrastructure can contribute to greater financial inclusion and provide additional ways to connect with customers and expand commercial activity. By supporting women-led businesses alongside SMEs, the collaboration seeks to create stronger opportunities for entrepreneurship, business development, and participation in Lebanon’s evolving digital economy.

The initiative also reflects broader efforts to modernize Lebanon’s payments ecosystem through cooperation between public and private-sector stakeholders. Encouraging adoption of digital financial services by businesses and consumers is an important aspect of secure and seamless payment experiences.

Security and trust are also central to the development of a stronger digital payments environment. Mastercard’s work in the payments ecosystem includes the use of cybersecurity solutions, artificial intelligence, and fraud prevention technologies designed to help protect consumers, businesses, and financial institutions from evolving digital threats.

With SMEs and women entrepreneurs receiving particular attention, the collaboration between Mastercard and Banque du Liban represents an effort to strengthen digital payment acceptance while supporting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and sustainable business growth across Lebanon. By giving businesses greater access to digital payment capabilities and resources, the initiative aims to help them participate more effectively in the country’s developing digital economy.