Small and medium-sized enterprises across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa are changing how they approach growth, with technology increasingly becoming part of everyday business strategy.
A new Mastercard Dreamonomics report shows that EEMEA SMEs are placing greater attention on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging payment technologies as they prepare for a more digital economy.
According to Mastercard, 59% of SMEs in EEMEA prioritise stability and predictability over fast growth, compared with 68% globally. The figure suggests that businesses in the region remain ambitious while paying attention to the risks that can come with rapid expansion.
AI and cybersecurity move to the centre of SME growth
Cybersecurity is one of the strongest themes in the report. Mastercard says 78% of EEMEA SMEs regard protection from cyber threats as a priority, while 42% already use cybersecurity tools. That 42% is the highest regional adoption rate recorded in the study.
The finding is relevant as smaller businesses depend more heavily on websites, social media accounts, online marketplaces, cloud platforms and digital payment channels. A compromised account or customer database can quickly become a financial and reputational problem.
Artificial intelligence is also gaining traction among businesses in the region. Some 77% of EEMEA SMEs surveyed said they are excited about AI’s potential, compared with 70% globally. Fraud and security protection emerged as a major interest, with 49% of respondents pointing to AI in that area.
For African businesses, this interest comes as digital tools become central to sales, marketing, customer service and administration. AI can help automate routine work and analyse information, but its usefulness depends on how carefully it is implemented and monitored.
The research also points to changing attitudes towards customers. About 54% of EEMEA SMEs said they would rather build deeper customer relationships than simply reach as many people as possible.
Also Read: The Future of Cybersecurity Careers in Nigeria After the AI Boom
Digital assets are entering business payments
Another notable finding concerns emerging payment methods. Mastercard says SMEs in the Middle East and Africa are more than twice as likely as the global average to use newer payment options alongside cards and bank transfers.
The figures include cryptocurrency usage at 15% and stablecoin usage at 8%. These numbers do not suggest that digital assets have replaced traditional payment channels. Instead, they indicate that some businesses are becoming more open to different ways to move and receive money.
The development could matter for African SMEs involved in cross-border trade and digital services, where payment speed, foreign exchange costs and international access can influence operations. At the same time, digital asset adoption brings questions around regulation, fraud, consumer protection and risk management.
Nigeria already provides a local example of strong interest in digital business tools. According to Mastercard’s 2026 SME Confidence Index for Nigeria, 100% of Nigerian SMEs surveyed considered digital and online payments vital to business growth. The study also identified staff training and upskilling, as well as business digitisation, among the leading priorities for Nigerian SMEs.
Back story: Mastercard’s wider SME strategy
Mastercard introduced the Dreamonomics report on September 15, 2026, drawing on research conducted by Hypothesis on behalf of the company. The global survey covered more than 6,000 SMEs across 18 countries and examined growth, digital adoption, cybersecurity, customer relationships and business tools.
Globally, the report found that 89% of SMEs want to adopt more digital tools, while 78% said integrated tools are critical to their operations. Mastercard is using these findings to strengthen support for small businesses through products, insights and business security solutions.
The company has also continued expanding its Built Small. Moving Strong. initiative in EEMEA. Launched earlier this year, the programme is designed to help SMEs manage economic pressure, rising costs, supply chain challenges and disruptions through partnerships and digital enablement.
Taken together, the findings show that digital transformation is becoming more closely linked with business resilience. SMEs are exploring AI and new payment technologies, while becoming more conscious of cybersecurity and digital risk.
For business owners in Nigeria, the data points to a simple reality: adopting technology is no longer enough. Businesses also need the right skills, security practices and systems to turn digital tools into sustainable business growth.
Also Read: Nigeria’s Digital Payments Boom Is Giving Global Fintech a New Benchmark
