Mastercard’s latest Dreamonomics Report highlights that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) are focusing on growth, new technologies and protection against cyber threats.

The study finds that 77% of SMEs in the region are excited about AI’s potential for their businesses, while 78% prioritize cyberthreat protection, the highest among surveyed regions. Nearly six in ten SMEs (59%) still value stability over speed, and 54% prefer building deeper customer relationships rather than expanding reach.

Cybersecurity is increasingly seen as a growth enabler, with 42% of SMEs already using protection tools. EEMEA SMEs are also leading in digital asset adoption, including cryptocurrency and stablecoins.