- What
- Government loan up to KD 400,000, covering up to 80% of project capital.
- Who
- Kuwaiti citizens aged 21 and over, working full-time on the project.
- From abroad
- Nationals or residents of Kuwait — Kuwaiti citizen; Age 21 or older; Project capital not above KWD 500,000 All programmes open to founders from abroad →
- Timeline
- Reply to applicants within 45 days, except a few projects ↗As published by the programme itself
Checked · October 2026 · nationalfund.gov.kw/en · How we check ↗
In detail
National Fund — SME Financing is a government loan in Kuwait. Kuwait's SME financier — funds up to KD 400,000 and up to 80% of project capital, provided the project capital does not exceed KD 500,000. The partners contribute at least 20%.
- Amount
- Up to KD 400,000 · up to 80% of project capital (project capital max KD 500,000)
- Terms
- Partners contribute at least 20% of the project
- Eligibility
- Kuwaiti citizens, at least 21 years old, working full-time on the project · project capital max KD 500,000
- Sectors
- All production, services, commercial, artisan and professional projects — real estate and stock trading excluded
- Benefits
- Up to 80% project financing · Training
- Status
- Open — Kuwaiti entrepreneurs apply online through the National Fund e-services portal (Funding Service, account login) (checked October 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what National Fund — SME Financing publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“To be a Kuwaiti citizen, of age not less than 21 years, fully dedicated to the project management, and the project capital shall not exceed 500 thousand Kuwaiti dinar.”
“the project capital shall not exceed 500 thousand Kuwaiti dinar”
“The minimum contribution of the partners is 20%. However, their contribution may exceed this percentage.”
“Funding up to KD 400,000/- and 80% provided the project capital does not exceed KD 500,000/-”
“Am I obliged to return the amount in the event the project incurs losses? Yes.”
“The Fund finances all production, services, commercial, artisan and professional projects [...] excluding real estate and stock trading projects.”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare loans & guarantees in Kuwait
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| National Fund — SME FinancingGovernment loan up to KD 400,000, covering up to 80% of project capital. | not published | Loan | Open |
| Industrial Bank of KuwaitMedium and long-term industrial and SME loan financing; amount varies by project. | not published | No equity | Active |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
Questions founders ask
What does National Fund — SME Financing offer?
Government loan up to KD 400,000, covering up to 80% of project capital.
Does National Fund — SME Financing take equity?
Loan — interest-free, one-time 2% fee; partners add 20%+.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Nationals or residents of Kuwait — Kuwaiti citizen; Age 21 or older; Project capital not above KWD 500,000.
Is there a deadline?
No closing date is published; applications are open.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · nationalfund.gov.kw/en · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/thenationalfund · Checked October 2026