Supporting SMEs for development in the Arab States region

Creating decent jobs and supporting young people’s livelihoods, while accelerating the transition to a green economy, are essential to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient societies across the Arab States region. Strengthening the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is key to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.

These businesses form the backbone of economies across the Arab States, representing more than 90 percent of all businesses and serving as a major source of new job creation. With the right support, access to finance, and enabling conditions, SMEs can become powerful drivers of green growth, innovation, and inclusive economic development.

Green growth advisory for 800 SMEs

The Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator (GGJAP) is a UNDP initiative supported by the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Launched in 2022, the Accelerator supports SMEs across the Arab States region to adopt greener business practices and expand employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women.

Building on UNDP’s SDG Accelerator methodology, GGJAP delivers a structured five-month programme that provides targeted business development advisory, mentoring, and peer learning. Participating enterprises strengthen their business models, improve resource efficiency, and become more competitive and resilient.

By 2027, the Accelerator will support up to 800 SMEs, contributing to 4,000 direct green jobs and an estimated 10,000 indirect jobs across supply chains. The programme is implemented in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan, with expansion to Algeria beginning in 2026.