Build a BusinessBahrain
Riyadat Women Business Finance Scheme
Provided by Bahrain Development Bank
Shari'a-compliant financing for Bahrain-based businesses owned and managed by Bahraini women, with a subsidised profit rate and a required mentoring track.
- How to apply
- Applications accepted on an ongoing basis through Bahrain Development Bank.
- Funding terms
- Up to BHD 1 million (about KWD 818,000), tenor up to 7 years, Shari'a-compliant. Profit-rate subsidy and end-of-tenor reimbursement as set out by BDB and Tamkeen.
Key details
- Useful when
- Seeking funding, Starting a business
- Best for
- Bahraini women starting or growing a business who need financing for equipment, marketing, expansion or other development costs.
- Eligibility and access
- The business must be based in Bahrain, owned and fully managed by a Bahraini woman, with Bahraini women holding at least 51% of the share capital. It needs an active commercial registration or licence. Men may be partners if the 51% threshold is met. Completion of the Playbook mentorship sessions is mandatory before financing is released.
- About this resource
- Riyadat is Bahrain Development Bank's women business finance scheme, supported by Tamkeen and the Supreme Council for Women. It offers Shari'a-compliant financing for startups and established businesses, with two tracks: **Start Your Business** (trading 0 to 3 years) and **Business Growth** (trading more than 3 years). - Financing of up to BHD 1 million, depending on need and suitability, with a tenor of up to 7 years. - Tamkeen subsidises 50% of the profit rate, up to 4% for SMEs and up to 2% for large enterprises, whichever is lower. - Part of the total profit paid can be reimbursed at the end of the tenor for a satisfactory repayment history. - Funds are for business development, such as machinery, raw materials, marketing and branding, expansion, and auditing. Construction and general expenses are excluded. Applicants complete a Tamkeen-sponsored Playbook mentorship track (three one-hour sessions over Zoom, available in Arabic on request) before funding is released.
- Accessible from
- Bahrain
- Delivery
- Format varies
- Access model
- Application / selection, Eligibility restricted
- Cost
- Financing is repayable on the bank's terms. Tamkeen subsidises part of the profit rate; the Playbook mentorship membership is sponsored by Tamkeen.
- Availability
- Ongoing
- Application window
- Applications accepted on an ongoing basis through Bahrain Development Bank.
- Languages
- English, Arabic
Women-only eligibility
Eligibility is restricted to businesses owned and managed by Bahraini women.