Insights

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. 

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. 

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. 

In August 2024, SANAD along with a consortium of leading finance institutions came together and signed a financing agreement with the Bank of Palestine.  

SANAD made its first direct investments in Morocco and Egypt’s agricultural sectors, marking a key milestone in its efforts to empower SME agribusinesses, boost food security, and promote sustainable farming across the MENA region. 

In 2024, under our Advisory & Capacity Building arm, SANAD partnered with the Womenpreneur Initiative for the third Womenpreneur Tour which was expanded to sub-Saharan Africa, empowering female entrepreneurs.

SANAD's Advisory & Capacity Building arm, partnered with the Women in Business Arabia, an online network community of 40,000 businesswomen, to support the Women on Board program. 

SANAD supports underserved entrepreneurs in Jordan through its financing of Microfund for Women and advisory and capacity building.

Imagine driving sustainable growth, unlocking untapped economic potential, and making a profound societal impact—all through equitable access to finance for women. Learn more from Iveta Tancheva-Nikolova.