Organization · Grant Maker

Middle East Investment Initiative

The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 that aims to enhance economic activity and job creation in the MENA region by providing financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and underserved communities.

Grant MakerGrantor

Overview

What Middle East Investment Initiative does

What Middle East Investment Initiative is

The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 that aims to enhance economic activity and job creation in the MENA region by providing financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and underserved communities.

How it participates in the startup ecosystem

The current public profile supports grantor capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.

Operational profile

Organization status and context

Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.

Operational status
Active
Organization type
Grant Maker
Founded
Founded in 2005
Approximate age
About 21 years
Structured capabilities
Grantor
Last reviewed
March 26, 2026

Official channels

Find Middle East Investment Initiative elsewhere

Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.

Capability profile

Middle East Investment Initiative as a grantor

Grant thesis

The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) supports private-sector led development in the MENA region by providing finance and technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Focus narrative

MEII focuses on stimulating sustainable economic activity and job creation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by investing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The organization addresses local economic challenges and fosters financial inclusion through various financial mechanisms, including loan guarantee facilities and technical assistance programs.

Value and support

Beyond funding, MEII provides technical assistance and credit support to local banks, enhancing their capacity to lend to SMEs and fostering sustainable economic growth in the region.

Grant economics

Dilutive
No
Nonprofit only
Yes

Eligibility and fit

Stages
Friends and Family · Angel · Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
Audience
Founders
Regions
MENA

Process and recipient context

Application process

MEII operates several programs aimed at improving access to credit for SMEs in the MENA region. Key initiatives include the Loan Guarantee Facility, which stimulates lending to SMEs, and Tamweeli Financing, a unique solution tailored to the needs of SMEs. The application process involves engaging with local banks and SMEs to facilitate access to these financial resources.

Common questions

What to know about Middle East Investment Initiative

Upseed classifies Middle East Investment Initiative under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes grantor capabilities.

Next step

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Source and update disclosure

Know what this page is based on

Source basis

Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.

Last reviewed

March 26, 2026

Known limits

Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.

Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.