A Digital Leap for SMEs and Women Entrepreneurs
Netherlands-based impact investor Triple Jump has committed $12.5 million in equity to TBC Bank Uzbekistan (TBC UZ), the country’s leading mobile-only bank. The investment will support the expansion of financial services for underserved segments, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses, where credit access remains limited.
TBC UZ, which operates entirely via smartphone, offers digital loans, savings, and financial tools to clients across Uzbekistan without relying on physical branches. The capital injection will help the bank scale its new SME lending products, enhance its mobile platform, and extend outreach to rural areas where financial inclusion is most needed.
Gender-Smart Finance in Action
The investment is split between two of Triple Jump’s funds: $5 million from the Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) and $7.5 million from the ASN Microkredietpool Fund. The GGSF aims to empower women through finance, while ASN targets inclusive lending in emerging markets. With this allocation, the deal is designed not only to support entrepreneurship but also to address systemic gender inequality in finance.
This latest equity round follows a $10 million debt investment made by Triple Jump in November 2024, demonstrating continued confidence in TBC UZ’s digital-first model and growth trajectory.
According to TBC UZ CEO Nika Kurdiani, the funding will allow the bank to introduce new lending products, improve customer experience, and expand its reach to segments traditionally excluded from formal banking services. He emphasized that mobile technology offers an efficient path to financial inclusion, especially for SMEs in remote areas and women without access to collateral-based loans.
A Growing Ecosystem of Impact Finance
Earlier this year, TBC UZ also received $20 million in funding from Swiss impact investor BlueOrchard, bringing total development finance raised to $45 million. The strong backing from global impact funds signals a growing belief in Uzbekistan’s fintech sector and its potential to drive inclusive economic growth.
By focusing on mobile-based SME lending, TBC UZ is helping to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship, stimulate job creation, and offer more equitable access to capital. Triple Jump’s investment represents a broader shift toward supporting financial institutions that combine innovation with impact.
With new capital in hand, the bank plans to accelerate product development and expand its digital infrastructure across the country, setting the stage for further growth and deeper financial penetration.
This story highlights how digital banking can serve as a catalyst for inclusion, particularly in frontier markets like Uzbekistan. As platforms like TBC UZ scale responsibly, they bring financial opportunity to those who need it most – and redefine what banking looks like in the 21st century (Triple Jump).
The investment underscores Triple Jump’s long-term commitment to inclusive finance and positions TBC UZ as a regional leader in mobile-first banking for impact (TBC Bank Uzbekistan).