Mastercard’s Dreamonomics report finds SMEs in EEMEA prioritizing growth

KARACHI: Mastercard’s Dreamonomics report offers a new global view of the forces reshaping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perceptions and approach to growth.

The research shows that SMEs in the EEMEA region (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) are among the most likely to prioritize faster growth, even at the expense of stability.

The report found that 59 percent of SMEs in EEMEA prioritize stability and predictability over fast growth, compared with 7 percent globally, indicating a relatively cautious approach to business expansion.

Customer relationships also appear to be a key priority, with 54 percent of EEMEA SMEs preferring to build deeper relationships with customers rather than focus on reaching the largest possible customer base.

Cyber security is increasingly being viewed as a growth enabler in the region. According to the report, 78 percent of SMEs prioritize protection against cyber threats, while 42 percent are already using cyber security tools, the highest adoption level among all regions surveyed.

The report further showed strong optimism toward artificial intelligence (AI), with 77 percent of EEMEA SMEs expressing excitement about AI’s potential, compared with 70 percent globally. Fraud prevention and security protection emerged as major areas of interest, cited by 49 percent of SMEs in the region against 41 percent globally.

The report noted that businesses in the region are more likely to use new payment methods, including crypto currencies and stable coins, highlighting the growing role of digital assets in the region’s evolving business and payments ecosystem.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026