iTEKAD Entrepreneurship: Empowering low-income microentrepreneurs
iTEKAD Entrepreneurship aims to assist low-income microentrepreneurs to strengthen their financial management and business acumen towards generating sustainable income. By leveraging on social finance instruments, each programme combines 1) seed capital to start or sustain their business; 2) access to microfinance; and 3) structured financial and business training.
For more information, please read our feature article, iTEKAD: An Ecosystem Approach in Scaling Up Social Finance in BNM’s Annual Report 2023.
(as of end-October 2026)

Impact of iTEKAD Entrepreneurship
(as at end-June 2026)
Based on sample of microentrepreneurs who graduated from the iTEKAD programme
92%
Business growth
Increased monthly sales
>2,400
Employment
New jobs created
85%
Financial resilience
Saved up to RM4,000 of business income per month on average
81%
Digital upskilling
Conduct online sales and marketing
Financial institutions participating in iTEKAD Entrepreneurship
Frequently Asked Questions on iTEKAD Entrepreneurship
- Capacity building – Participants receive training in financial and business management, as well as relevant technical know-how specific to their respective business sectors (e.g. sewing skills for tailors)
- Coaching and mentoring –Participants are closely guided by a mentor / peer groups to support business growth
- Value-adding support – Participants may be provided with opportunities to enhance their capabilities, such as adoption of digital technologies or by undertaking relevant certifications.







