ABHI Microfinance Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with DigiKhata, a leading digital ledger platform widely used by small and medium enterprises, to expand access to structured financing solutions for SMEs across Pakistan. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between digitally active businesses and formal financial services by enabling eligible merchants operating on DigiKhata’s platform to access financing through ABHI Microfinance Bank.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two organisations will combine their respective strengths to support small businesses that often struggle to secure timely and affordable credit. DigiKhata’s digital ecosystem, which helps SMEs manage sales, credit, inventory, and customer records, generates transaction data that can be used to better understand business performance. By leveraging this data, ABHI Microfinance Bank will be able to assess creditworthiness through more structured and informed evaluation processes, allowing SMEs to unlock working capital and meet their operational needs.
Access to finance remains one of the most persistent challenges facing small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. Many businesses operate informally and lack the documentation typically required by banks, despite having viable operations and consistent cash flows. This partnership is designed to address that gap by linking digital record-keeping with regulated banking infrastructure, bringing more SMEs into the formal credit system and supporting their long-term growth.
The initiative is expected to help small retailers, traders, and merchants improve cash flow stability, manage inventory more efficiently, and expand operations with greater financial confidence. By embedding financial services into a platform already used daily by businesses, the partnership reduces friction in accessing credit and supports a more inclusive financial ecosystem.
The MoU was formally signed by Mariam Pervaiz, Chief Communications Officer of ABHI Microfinance Bank, and Adnan Aslam, Chief Executive Officer of DigiKhata, in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations. The signing ceremony highlighted a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs through technology-enabled financial solutions.
Commenting on the partnership, Mariam Pervaiz said the collaboration reflects ABHI Microfinance Bank’s focus on using innovation to support small businesses that form the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. She noted that many SMEs remain outside the formal financial system despite their economic contribution, and partnerships like this help connect them with responsible financing that supports sustainable growth and business stability.
Adnan Aslam emphasized that small businesses are increasingly generating valuable financial data through digital tools, but access to formal credit has often remained limited. He said the partnership with ABHI Microfinance Bank creates a pathway for merchants to convert their digital activity into financial opportunity, supporting the next phase of SME growth and development.
Overall, the collaboration signals a broader shift in Pakistan’s financial landscape, where banks and digital platforms are working together to promote financial inclusion, formalization of businesses, and economic resilience. By aligning technology with banking, the partnership aims to unlock new growth opportunities for SMEs and strengthen the foundation of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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