Corporate spend management platform Alaan has rolled out a direct financial support program aimed at reducing the operational burden on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the United Arab Emirates. Dubbed ‘Alaan Sawa,’ the initiative pledges AED 3 million to subsidize essential utility and telecom expenses for local businesses managing rising overheads.
Quick Facts
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AED 3 million total financial commitment for UAE SMEs.
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Up to AED 3,000 in direct bill coverage per business.
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Six months of free corporate card platform access.
Easing Operational Costs for UAE SMEs
The Alaan Sawa initiative targets up to 1,000 businesses, focusing strictly on foundational operating expenses. Through the program, Alaan will cover utility and telecom bills from regional providers including DEWA, SEWA, ADDC, Empower, du, and Etisalat.
Participating companies can receive up to AED 3,000 in direct support spread over three months. Additionally, the fintech is waiving fees for its core products, granting these SMEs free access to its corporate card and cross-border payment platform for a six-month period.
Eligibility for the broader initiative requires a headcount of 10 to 250 employees. Alaan has also opened opt-in eligibility for existing clients operating in highly impacted sectors such as food and beverage, hospitality, and tourism.
“We’ve seen businesses across the UAE continue to adapt, support their teams, and keep going through a challenging period,” said Parthi Duraisamy, Co-founder and CEO of Alaan.
“Alaan Sawa is a way for us to step in where it matters – by covering essential costs and making it easier for businesses to support each other.”
Creating B2B Synergies with the Sawa Partner Network
Beyond direct cash subsidies and software access, the company has introduced the Sawa Partner Network. This secondary component operates as a peer-to-peer business support ecosystem.
The network allows participating companies to offer proprietary services, discounts, and specific benefits to other members on the platform. Selected benefits will roll out in phases as new partners join, creating a localized marketplace of shared resources for UAE startups and traditional SMEs.
About Alaan
Launched in 2021 by Parthi Duraisamy and Karun Kurien, Alaan is a UAE-born corporate card and spend management platform. Recognized as a UAE Future 100 company, the fintech has secured over $55 million in funding to date. The platform currently supports finance teams at more than 3,000 organizations across the region, including notable entities like G42, Careem, Tabby, and Al Barari, processing billions of dirhams in annual transaction volume.
Source: Zawya
