JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 13, 2026 — The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have launched a project to expand e-commerce access and Sharia-compliant digital financial services for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across eight selected member countries of the Islamic Development Bank.
The initiative, called Prosper MSMEs, will explore how national postal networks can help small businesses sell products online, access cross-border markets and obtain Islamic finance-aligned payment and financing services.
The agreement was signed on Sept. 21 by Sami Al-Suwailem, acting director-general of IsDBI, and Masahiko Metoki, director-general of the UPU International Bureau, according to a statement released Monday.
The project seeks to use postal networks to reach businesses and communities that may have limited access to commercial banking services and private logistics providers.
It will be implemented in two phases across the eight participating countries. The first will assess regulations governing e-commerce, postal services, digital payments and Islamic finance. The second will examine barriers to e-commerce adoption among MSMEs, gaps in financial services, demand for Islamic financial products and the capabilities of existing postal networks.
IsDBI will finance the project, while the UPU will contribute technical expertise, data resources and access to its international postal network.
The initiative also aims to develop proposals for postal-based e-commerce and financing solutions tailored to the needs of small businesses, women and young entrepreneurs.
The organisations said the project would produce a consolidated report outlining findings from the participating countries and a roadmap for implementation. The findings will be presented to potential cooperation partners to help mobilise funding for the proposed solutions.
The project is intended to support governments, postal operators and development partners in expanding digital market access and promoting inclusive financial services for underserved communities.
The UPU, established in 1874, is a United Nations specialised agency responsible for cooperation in the global postal sector. It has 192 member countries.
IsDBI serves as the knowledge and research arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group, supporting economic development through research, training and the development of Islamic finance systems.
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