Bir launches digital push for Azerbaijan micro-firms

Bir will launch a programme in October to help micro-entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan adopt digital banking, payment and eCommerce tools.

The initiative, named Biznesdə birlikdə and also described as Birdən biznesə, will combine business training with services from across Bir's digital ecosystem.

Participants will gain access to Birbank, the Birmarket eCommerce platform, the m10 digital wallet and Milliön cash-in payment terminals. These services will help entrepreneurs manage payments, sell products online and reach customers through digital channels.

The programme is open to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small-business owners. It aims to remove practical barriers that can prevent micro-businesses from participating in the digital economy.

Bir's wider ecosystem has more than five million users in Azerbaijan. The programme will use this network to connect small businesses with consumers already using its banking, payment and retail services.

Training will cover business management, financial and legal literacy, taxation, accounting, marketing and social media.

Participants will also receive practical guidance on selling through online marketplaces. This will include help joining Birmarket and operating as a digital seller.

Further support will focus on managing day-to-day business activities. Bir has not disclosed how many entrepreneurs will be admitted or how long each training cycle will run.

The initiative will prioritise groups that can face greater difficulty accessing business resources and professional networks. These include women, young entrepreneurs, people with disabilities, retirees and families of fallen service members.

Combining training with access to technology is intended to help participants start or expand businesses. The programme will also introduce them to digital financial services that could reduce their reliance on cash transactions.

Participants will receive free point-of-sale payment tools and reduced payment-processing commission fees.

They will also gain commission-free access to tools within the Bir Bonus loyalty programme. Preferential terms will be available on selected credit and instalment products.

Birbank Biznes, Bir's business banking application, will allow eligible participants to make up to AZN ₼10,000, or about USD $5,900, in withdrawals and transfers without commission for one year.

Standard fees and detailed eligibility requirements have not been disclosed.

The incentives are intended to reduce the initial cost of accepting electronic payments and using business banking services. They will also allow small merchants to test digital tools before deciding whether to adopt them over the longer term.

Azerbaijan is shifting from cash transactions towards digital commerce as consumers adopt banking applications, electronic wallets and online marketplaces.

The programme is intended to support this transition by bringing aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs onto digital platforms. It forms part of Bir's corporate and social responsibility activities focused on entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

Bir was established in 2025 to combine several consumer and business services. Its ecosystem includes Birbank, Birmarket, Milliön and m10. The business also works with the Trendyol marketplace and the BakıKart transport payment service.

"The scale and breadth of the Bir ecosystem give us an opportunity to approach digital and financial inclusion in a very practical way. We can help upskill micro-entrepreneurs and connect them to digital banking, payments and marketplace tools they need to successfully reach clients and grow their operations. Biznesdə birlikdə unlocks essential digital infrastructure for people who may otherwise face greater barriers to starting or developing their business, helping turn access to training and ecosystem services into new pathways for building personal and national prosperity," said Farid Huseynov, Chief Executive Officer, Bir.