August 5, 2025, Astana, Kazakhstan – Today, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth announced a new partnership with retail technology provider, Beksar, to address the digital financing gap for micro and small businesses in Kazakhstan. This partnership is part of the Mastercard Strive initiative, which supports small businesses to grow and become more resilient in the digital economy.
There are currently more than 2 million micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Kazakhstan, employing more than 4 million people and accounting for 44% of the country’s economy. However, only 25% of the sector’s formal demand of US$42.3 billion is met. According to the Asian Development Bank, MSEs often face barriers such as limited collateral and formal reporting, which hampers their access to credit and financial services.
Beksar’s platform provides sales analytics, inventory management, and other services to small businesses. With support from Mastercard Strive, Beksar will leverage the data collected on its platform to underwrite loans and other financial services. By using alternative data to provide credit scores, small business owners who lack formal financial paper trails will be able to access financing, often for the first time.
The program will increase adoption of Beksar’s solutions by segmenting small business clients based on their size, turnover, and specific needs. A special focus will be placed on women-led businesses, providing them with a new mobile-friendly platform that offers them tailored tools and financing options to foster their growth and participation in the digital economy. Through the program, Beksar aims to reach 20,000 small businesses, at least 60% of which are owned by women.
Global consultancy Caribou and global nonprofit Accion will deliver the new program to enable Beksar to embed financial services directly onto their platform, supporting small business owners to access digital financial services responsibly.
This new partnership with Beksar builds on Mastercard Strive and Accion’s existing work to drive digital financial inclusion in Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, a partnership with fintech startup, MayaSoft, will equip 12,000 small businesses with an innovative point of sale (POS) solution that will digitize their sales, support their access to capital, and provide transaction and inventory data to inform decision-making and support growth.
“This partnership with Beksar reflects our commitment to supporting Kazakhstan’s small businesses to harness the power of their own data,” said Suleyman Sozeri, General Manager, Eastern Europe, Mastercard. “By turning everyday business activity into actionable insights, we’re helping unlock access to inclusive credit offerings that can strengthen financial health and build long-term resilience for small businesses.”
“Our partnership with Mastercard is an important milestone in the development of our platform and in expanding access to embedded financial solutions for small businesses in Kazakhstan. We are committed to leveraging technology and data to provide entrepreneurs with practical tools for growth and sustainable development,” said Maxat Bektibayev, CEO of Beksar.
Accion’s work on this program will also help strengthen the digital infrastructure of Beksar and develop its platform further so it can easily integrate with other solutions and systems and provide an expanded suite of services to small businesses.
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About Beksar
Beksar is a Kazakhstan-based startup providing retail automation solutions for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. Its proprietary software helps entrepreneurs streamline sales, manage inventory, and access embedded financial services. In partnership with financial institutions, Beksar also helps its clients obtain short-term financing directly through the platform. With over 4,000 clients across the country and a growing partner network, Beksar is driving digital transformation in the region’s retail sector. Learn more at https://beksar.kz/
About the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.
About Caribou
Caribou is a global consultancy working with ambitious foundations, companies, and governments to accelerate and deliver impact in a digital age. We apply deep technical expertise and rigor to fund and program management, strategy and policy design, impact measurement, actionable research, and immersive learning initiatives. We work towards a world in which digital economies are inclusive and sustainable, driven by secure livelihoods, innovative business models, and resilience to a changing climate. Follow on LinkedIn and subscribe to the newsletter.
About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 285 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching 478 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.
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