Zamanat has announced sponsorship of Zamanat Fund CEIC Limited, a Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)-domiciled tokenized private credit fund with a target size of up to $100 million. The fund directly addresses the GCC's estimated $250 billion SME financing gap, a region where just 11% of small and medium enterprises have access to credit.
The fund represents Zamanat's first live demonstration of regulated fund tokenization on ZIGChain, focused on GCC private credit.
Addressing a Regional Financing Challenge
Across the GCC, small and medium enterprises are central to economic growth yet remain significantly underserved by traditional financing. In the UAE alone, SMEs generate more than half of GDP and employ the majority of the private-sector workforce, yet receive less than 10% of total bank lending.
The fund will invest in private credit across the region, directing capital toward companies whose financing needs are not fully met through traditional lending channels. This strategy aligns with national development priorities, including Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE Centennial 2071.
Structure and Digital Implementation
The fund is a DFSA-regulated, closed-ended Exempt Fund classified as a Credit Fund. Truleum Venture Partners Limited manages the fund, while Apex Group provides administration. The fund issues interests as ZM1 Investment Tokens on ZIGChain within a regulated, whitelisted environment for qualifying DFSA Professional Clients.
Zamanat serves as sponsor, providing regional private credit expertise and investment structuring, while Truleum retains responsibility for regulated fund-management activities.
Broader Digital Shariah Assets Initiative
Global Islamic finance assets are projected to reach $9.7 trillion by 2029, according to projections cited by the company. Zamanat is building infrastructure to connect digital and Shariah-aligned assets with global capital across private credit, receivables, real estate, and other asset classes through both traditional and digital channels.
