- What
- Sharia-compliant financing up to BHD 1M with a 50% profit-rate subsidy; tenor up to 7 years.
- Who
- Businesses owned and run by Bahraini women, new (0–3 years) or existing (3+ years).
- From abroad
- Nationals or residents of Bahrain — Owned and fully managed by a Bahraini woman, based in Bahrain; companies need 51% or more Bahraini women's share capital All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Checked · October 2026 · bdb-bh.com/financial-services/women-business-fin · How we check ↗
See Riyadat - Women Business Finance Scheme on the map next to the other 23 programmes in Bahrain — and filter the whole Gulf by type, deadline and equity.
Open the map →In detail
Riyadat - Women Business Finance Scheme is a women business financing scheme in Bahrain. Shari'a-compliant financing scheme of Bahrain Development Bank for Bahraini woman-owned startups and SMEs, run with Tamkeen and the Supreme Council for Women. Up to BHD 1 million in financing depending on need and suitability, a tenor of up to 7 years and a Tamkeen subsidy of 50% of the profit rate (capped at 4% for SMEs and 2% for large enterprises). Two tracks: new enterprises (0-3 years, Start your Business) and existing enterprises (over 3 years, Business Growth). Applicants must complete a Tamkeen-sponsored mentorship on the Playbook platform before approved financing is released.
- Amount
- Up to BHD 1 million
- tenor up to 7 years
- 50% profit-rate subsidy (up to 4% for SMEs)
- Terms
- No equity - Shari'a-compliant financing with a profit-rate subsidy
- Eligibility
- Business owned and fully managed by a Bahraini woman and based in Bahrain (companies: Bahraini women hold 51% or more of the share capital)
- active commercial registration or licence
- 0-3 years (new) or over 3 years (existing) in operation
- completion of the Playbook mentorship
- Sectors
- Focus sectors: financial services, ICT, telecommunications, gaming, manufacturing, renewables, logistics, creative industries, tourism, education, healthcare
- Benefits
- 50% profit-rate subsidy
- advisory programme for new and existing enterprises
- Tamkeen-sponsored Playbook mentorship (yearly subscription and 3 sessions)
- partial reimbursement of the profit paid at the end of the tenor for a satisfactory repayment history
- Status
- Open - online application form on the BDB site; no deadline published, page last updated July 2024 (checked September 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what Riyadat - Women Business Finance Scheme publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Your business is owned and fully managed by a Bahraini woman and based in Bahrain.”
“Empowering Bahraini woman-owned Startups and SMEs to help them develop and grow female entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.”
“Riyadat helps you accelerate your business growth and support your expansion by providing access to financing from the Financer in accordance with the provisions of the Islamic Shariah on favorable terms including:”
“Updated Riyadat Program launched as part of the ongoing partnership between the Supreme Council for Women, Tamkeen, and Bahrain Development Bank”
“Applicants for the program may be able to attain up to BHD 1 million in financing, dependent on need and suitability.”
“Tenor period up to 7 years depending on support type”
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Compare loans & guarantees in Bahrain
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadat - Women Business Finance SchemeSharia-compliant financing up to BHD 1M with a 50% profit-rate subsidy; tenor up to 7 years. | up to BHD 1M | No equity | Open |
| SME Fund (Bahrain)Sharia-compliant SME financing; amount set case by case. | not published | No equity | Active |
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
More programmes that take no equity →
Questions founders ask
What does Riyadat - Women Business Finance Scheme offer?
Sharia-compliant financing up to BHD 1M with a 50% profit-rate subsidy; tenor up to 7 years.
Does Riyadat - Women Business Finance Scheme take equity?
No equity — Sharia-compliant debt.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Nationals or residents of Bahrain — Owned and fully managed by a Bahraini woman, based in Bahrain; companies need 51% or more Bahraini women's share capital.
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 · bdb-bh.com/financial-services/women-business-finance-scheme-riyadat · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/bahraindevelopmentbank · Checked October 2026