SME Digital Opens MVR 10 Million Gateway to Guesthouse Tourism

SME Digital has launched two new Shariah-compliant financing solutions, Guesthouse Financing and Guestroom Financing, aimed at strengthening local participation in the tourism sector and expanding affordable access to long-term capital for entrepreneurs and small operators.

The newly introduced facilities are designed to support the establishment, expansion, and modernization of tourism-related ventures, addressing common financial challenges faced during construction, renovation, and early-stage operations. By offering flexible financing structures, extended repayment periods, and grace periods, SME Digital said the products are intended to enable individuals and businesses to invest confidently in sustainable tourism projects across the atolls.

Under the Guesthouse Financing facility, funding is available for the development of new guesthouses and the expansion of existing properties with a minimum of six guestrooms. Eligible uses include the addition of rooms and facilities, development of tourism support services, and adoption of modern technologies to enhance operational efficiency. For the first time, SME Digital has raised the financing limit for this facility to up to MVR 10 million, with repayment tenures of up to 15 years and a grace period of up to 18 months. Applicants are required to contribute a minimum equity investment of 20 percent of the total project cost.

Complementing this, SME Digital has introduced Guestroom Financing to create an accessible entry point for individuals and small-scale operators seeking to participate in tourism through homestays and small accommodation ventures of up to five guestrooms. The facility offers financing of up to MVR 1.5 million, with repayment periods of up to 10 years and a grace period of up to 12 months. Eligibility will be assessed based on the applicant’s repayment capacity, taking into account personal income sources such as salaries, rental income, or business earnings, alongside a minimum 20 percent equity contribution.

Commenting on the launch, Badhurudheen Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of SME Digital, said the initiative is expected to accelerate the growth of local tourism while delivering tangible benefits to island communities. He noted that the financing would help expand guesthouse bed capacity across the atolls, enable tourism projects on council-allocated lands, create new income opportunities, and contribute to job creation and long-term economic resilience.

Applications for both Guesthouse and Guestroom Financing facilities are now open through the SME Portal at www.smedigital.mv.