Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are making a significant contribution to the MENA region. Studies show that formal SMEs contribute up to 45% of employment and 33% of GDP in developing countries. Among them, MSMEs have a very high share of private sector employment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). According to official statistics, MSMEs typically account for 10 to 40 percent of all jobs in the UAE.
However, these enterprises face unique challenges such as limited resources, lack of highly skilled professionals, and high transaction costs. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) and no-code/low-code technologies have become decisive factors, offering innovative solutions to streamline business processes, eliminate reliance on highly qualified professionals, reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Yaroslav Kologryvov, co-founder and CBDO PLATMA, AI Business Automation Platform, spoke about the opportunities that technology offers to SMEs.
1. Automating Workflows: Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Costs
Operational efficiency is a constant problem for SMEs in the UAE region, where entrepreneurs often spend more than 70% of their time on repetitive tasks. No-code/low-code and AI tools can help to solve this challenge: entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to create applications according to their own unique request. Specialized skills are not required. This works like a constructor: AI helps to set the correct query, and then the user collects a puzzle from individual blocks that together will give you what you need. The combination of these technologies allows for the creation of special applications without the need for technical skills, freeing up valuable time for strategic initiatives.
At PLATMA, we know that this approach works and helps entrepreneurs focus on more important, strategic decisions. For example, one of the success stories relates to a company that used PLATMA to create its minimum viable product (MVP) in just seven hours, saving $17,000 on development costs. By automating documentation and administrative tasks, companies can shift their focus to growth and innovation. According to their team, switching to PLATMA was a game-changer, giving them the flexibility they needed and positioning them for long-term success. It allowed them to become more agile, sustainable, and better prepared for future growth.
2. Enhancing strategic growth: reducing technical dependency
For many SMEs, reliance on external developers and high implementation costs are significant barriers to digital solutions. AI and no-code solutions help to remove these obstacles. By taking control of their business processes, business owners can allocate resources more efficiently and focus on strategic growth initiatives.
The accessibility and simplicity of such platforms is particularly attractive to SMEs in resource-constrained environments. For example, if you need to automate document flow, it is enough to read the instructions carefully and create a simple application (yes, just by dragging blocks!). Our experience of working with hundreds of entrepreneurs from the MENA region shows that this is real. We and our business analysts help solve these problems every day.
Additionally, PLATMA offers templates tailored to regional industries, allowing businesses to quickly implement solutions that are relevant to their specific needs without requiring extensive customization.
3. Optimization of marketing strategies with AI
AI-based tools revolutionize the marketing efforts for SMEs in the UAE region by offering data and automating key processes. And it’s not just about writing marketing texts and generating images. Everything is more interesting!
As I think you know, most marketing is about analyzing the effectiveness of campaigns. Entrepreneurs and marketers study the user’s conversions, their behavior on the site, and everything that can assess the attractiveness of a marketing offer.
AI and no-code solutions help make this process more convenient. That’s how we at PLATMA provide business solutions, such as custom promo codes, QR code generator,s and integrated ramps to track campaign results and analyze customer behavior. These tools enable SMEs to design targeted campaigns, track conversion rates and effectively optimize budgets.
Honestly, not only our users use this but we, the PLATMA team. For example, we are actively using the per code – system that allows us to create unique codes for advertising actions, track user engagement, and measure the success of marketing initiatives in real time.
Using AI in marketing, SMEs can increase customer engagement, improve RO,I and gain a competitive advantage in the dynamic MENA market.
AI as the Catalyst for SME Growth in MENA
In an increasingly competitive global market, AI has proved to be a vital tool for SMEs in the MENA region, enabling them to optimize operations, reduce costs, and stimulate innovation. Platforms such as PLATMA are at the forefront of this transformation, providing affordable, scalable, and customizable solutions that enable businesses to thrive.
The future of AI and platforms without code is certainly promising. SMEs that use these technologies will gain a competitive advantage by performing operational tasks up to 70% faster than their counterparts. While enterprises that will not be able to adapt to AI solutions will lag behind in the next five years.
For SMEs that are not ready to go digital, the advice is clear: start small, focus on the immediate benefits, and choose platforms like PLATMA that make the process easier. Thanks to AI, every business in the MENA region can achieve efficiency and growth.
