The Path to Smart SMEs Lies in Encouraging Digital Investments
· The SME Digital Transformation Report, prepared by Mastercard, TOBB, and Smart SME, highlights the promotion of digital investments for SMEs, digital competency training, and digital consulting services.
· Mastercard contributes to the digitalization of SMEs with a variety of products and services, ranging from card payment solutions to data-driven consulting services.
Istanbul, Turkey; August 15, 2025: The "SME Digital Transformation Report," prepared by global technology company Mastercard, which operates in the field of payment systems, in collaboration with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Akıllı KOBİ, was created based on the opinions of hundreds of SMEs in Turkey and a data-driven perspective.
The report highlights that SMEs have limited opportunities in terms of using digital tools, employing personnel with digital skills, and making technology investments, and offers results-oriented recommendations. Key points include providing financial support (grants, low-interest loans, tax breaks) to encourage digital investments, expanding training programs to develop employees' digital skills, and increasing digital consulting services tailored to SMEs.
Digitalization vision is a priority for two-thirds of SMEs
76% of participants stated that their businesses are aware of digital strategy, 65% stated that they have established digital transformation goals in their businesses, 49% stated that they are aware of digital transformation and are willing to take steps towards it, 64% stated that their digital transformation strategies are monitored by senior management using performance indicators, and 44% stated that a separate budget has been allocated for digital transformation investments in their companies.
'Digital leaders' are rising for full digitalization
63% of participants stated that their companies have a manager responsible for digital transformation, while 70% stated that management is competent in digital transformation processes. The percentage of those who have a positive attitude towards digital technologies and embrace these innovations in their business processes is 75%. While 57% of participants acknowledged that continuous investments are made to improve the digital skills of employees, 53% stated that they receive consulting services in digital transformation processes. On the other hand, 64% of participants stated that their employees are knowledgeable about digital technologies, while 61% stated that digital skills are an important criterion in recruitment processes.
The use of 'artificial intelligence' stands out among digital technologies
Sixty-two percent of participants stated that their businesses possess the necessary technologies for digital business applications, 41 percent stated that their businesses' technology budgets are designed to adapt to changing priorities, and 43 percent stated that artificial intelligence technologies are used in their businesses.
Mastercard empowers SMEs
Mastercard contributes to the digitalization of both SMEs and Turkey's trade ecosystem with its card payment solutions, tools that enable remote payment acceptance and allow card acceptance by phone, data-driven consulting services, cybersecurity solutions, and packages that offer access to new markets.
Mastercard's data solutions for SMEs support them in digitizing and growing their businesses. The MasterKOBİ platform helps SMEs reduce costs and increase their competitiveness by offering special discounts and benefits, while data analytics and digital solutions enable SMEs to manage customer relationships and optimize business processes.
Mastercard also provides SMEs with concrete support to unlock their potential for expanding their businesses in international markets. Through its E-Export Package offered in partnership with Garanti BBVA, Mastercard aims to support SMEs at every step, from starting the e-export process to post-sales. This package, which aims to support Turkish businesses in expanding their operations into different markets through Mastercard's global network, also serves Turkey's goal of growing e-exports.
To access the full report: https://www.akillikobi.org.tr/akilli-kobi-2024-kobilerin-dijital-donusumu-arastirma-raporu-yayinlandi
