Uzbekistan’s microfinance assets surge 114% to $1.75bn
Microfinance assets in Uzbekistan surged by 114% over the past year to reach 20.8tn soums ($1.75bn) by early September.
The Central Bank reported unprecedented expansion across the sector. Total capital climbed 57% to hit 4.4tn soums while the volume of issued loans more than doubled from 8.8 trillion to 18.1tn soums. Total liabilities similarly expanded from 6.9tn to 16.3tn soums.
Regulators noted that the country’s microfinance market continues to demonstrate exceptionally high growth rates following a substantial sector expansion to 31.8tn soums in 2025.
Financial authorities attribute the current momentum to evolving funding strategies that help organisations attract development capital.
High market concentration
The market remains highly concentrated among top-tier players. Out of 141 microfinance organisations operating in the republic as of September 1, just 82 entities control the vast majority of the wealth with combined assets exceeding 20.5tn soums.
Smaller institutions hold a fraction of the market share. Mid-sized firms comprising 39 organisations manage collective assets of 92.6bn soums. The remaining 20 micro-lenders hold between 5bn and 10bn soums each, representing a combined 142.9bn soums in assets.
