Uzbekistan aims for one-hour microloan approval
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Uzbekistan’s Central Bank is developing a plan to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) through 2030, with 25 initiatives to increase their access to financial resources.
The bank intends for banks to issue online microloans within one hour by 2030, with these loans making up 60% of all microloans.
This is part of a broader effort to double the current loan portfolio for SMEs to 218 trillion soum by 2030 and raise the ratio of SME loans to the country’s gross domestic product from 12% to 20%. The plan also addresses the current lending landscape. In 2025, only 10% of small businesses and 16% of medium-sized businesses in Uzbekistan used credit.
SMEs currently contribute more than half of Uzbekistan’s GDP and employ approximately 74% of the workforce, or around 10.5 million people. As of July 2026, SMEs accounted for 36% of banks’ loan portfolios. To achieve these goals, the Central Bank plans several changes. These include transforming the Business Development Bank to focus on long-term SME financing and establishing a financial ombudsman to resolve disputes.
They also plan to allow banks to offer additional services like accounting and legal support, and to introduce Islamic finance products. The concept will be reviewed annually to assess progress and incorporate feedback from those involved.
