The map·Qatar·Loans & guarantees

QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen)

Qatar Development Bank programme, formerly Al-Dhameen, under which partner financial institutions extend financing backed by a partial QDB guarantee — typically up to 50% of the financed amount and up to 70% for low-ticket financing.

What you get
Amount not published
see What below
Cost
No equity
loan guarantee
Status
Open
no closing date published
From abroad
Local company needed
What
QDB partial guarantee on bank financing, typically up to 50% (70% for small tickets).
Who
Qatar-based companies with a commercial licence, startups included.
From abroad
A company in Qatar is required — Qatari-registered or Qatar-based company All programmes open to founders from abroad →

Checked · October 2026 · qdb.qa/financing-and-funding/credit-guarantees · How we check ↗

See QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen) on the map next to the other 65 programmes in Qatar — and filter the whole Gulf by type, deadline and equity.

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In detail

QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen) is a loan guarantee via partner financial institutions in Qatar. Qatar Development Bank programme, formerly Al-Dhameen, under which partner financial institutions extend financing backed by a partial QDB guarantee — typically up to 50% of the financed amount and up to 70% for low-ticket financing. Startups can use it if they meet the eligibility requirements and their projects are financially and technically viable; it covers opex and capex financing.

Amount
Guarantee typically up to 50% of the financed amount · up to 70% for low-ticket financing
Terms
No equity — loan guarantee
Eligibility
Qatar-based private-sector companies with a valid commercial licence; startups if financially and technically viable
Sectors
All sectors, priority and underserved sectors first
Benefits
Covers opex (working capital, bid and performance bonds, credit cards) and capex (asset and project financing)
Status
Open — apply through the National Funding Gate (checked October 2026)

Is this for you?

Where is your company?

Are you open to giving equity?

Answer the two questions

We match them against what QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen) publishes.

“The application must be submitted under a Qatari-registered or Qatar-based company.” — qdb.qa

A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.

What the source says

“The application must be submitted under a Qatari-registered or Qatar-based company.”

“The Credit Guarantee Program “formerly Al-Dhameen” is a financial initiative by QDB that enables partner financial institutions to offer financing backed by QDB guarantee, minimizing risk while maximizing growth.”

“Typically, up to 50% of the financed amount, and up to 70% for low-ticket financing.”

“Eligible Qatar-based businesses, with QDB providing partial guarantee coverage.”

“Yes. Startups can benefit from the program provided they meet the eligibility requirements and their projects are financially and technically viable.”

“All sectors are eligible, with a primary focus on priority and underserved sectors.”

Closing soon on the map

Finspire

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia · Open
Up to SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
18 Oct 2026closes

WISE EdTech Accelerator

Accelerator · Qatar · Open
Year-long coaching, masterclasses and investor network; no cash amount published.
31 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

Accelerator · Qatar · Open
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes

All published deadlines →

Compare loans & guarantees in Qatar

Cost
QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen)QDB partial guarantee on bank financing, typically up to 50% (70% for small tickets).not publishedNo equityOpen
QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital)QDB direct Shariah-compliant loans, incl. working capital for the start-up phase.not publishedLoanOpen

Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).

All loans & guarantees in Qatar →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Questions founders ask

What does QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen) offer?

QDB partial guarantee on bank financing, typically up to 50% (70% for small tickets).

Does QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen) take equity?

No equity — loan guarantee.

Can founders from abroad apply?

A company in Qatar is required — Qatari-registered or Qatar-based company.

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 · qdb.qa/financing-and-funding/credit-guarantees · Checked October 2026

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