Private credit in the UAE and GCC: a borrower guide
How borrowers use private credit, and what lenders assess, in the UAE and GCC.
Private credit is non-bank lending provided by specialist funds, family offices and private capital providers. Borrowers use it for acquisition finance, project finance, refinancing, bridge finance, growth capital or special situations — accepting higher pricing for flexibility, speed and certainty where bank financing is limited or unsuitable.
What private credit is
Private credit is lending arranged outside the banking system, with terms, security and pricing negotiated transaction-by-transaction. Structures range from senior and unitranche to mezzanine and stretched facilities.
When borrowers use it
- Speed or certainty matters more than lowest cost
- The structure is bespoke (acquisition, project, special situation)
- Bank appetite is constrained by sector, size or timing
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How it differs from bank debt
Private credit is usually faster, more flexibly structured and higher-priced, with covenants and security negotiated directly. See the full comparison: private credit vs bank debt.
Borrower readiness
Lenders expect financials, a debt schedule, use of proceeds, a forecast and repayment plan, a security package and a clear corporate structure. See the borrower checklist.
Pricing, security and covenants
Pricing reflects risk, security and tenor; lenders set covenants (e.g. minimum DSCR or maximum leverage) and take a defined security package. Terms are transaction-specific.
Common risks
- Underestimating covenant tightness and reporting obligations
- No credible refinancing or exit path
- Mispriced expectations versus market
How Matchpoint supports
We position the credit, prepare lender materials, run a competitive process across private-credit providers, and negotiate structure, pricing and security. See Private Credit.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Private credit is usually provided by non-bank lenders and may offer more flexible structuring, larger bespoke tickets and faster execution. Pricing, security and covenants are negotiated on a transaction-specific basis.
Cash-flow and repayment capacity, the security package, corporate structure, use of proceeds and the exit or refinancing route.
Rarely on its own. Private credit lenders look for cash flow that can service debt, a security package and a credible repayment route, which most pre-profit businesses lack. Earlier-stage companies usually raise equity first and add debt once revenue and assets can support it.
On a well-prepared mandate, a first term sheet is typically targeted within 30 days, with documentation and drawdown following. Speed depends largely on preparation: lenders move quickly when financials, the debt schedule, use of proceeds and security details are ready at the outset.
Debt tickets typically run USD 10m–500m+, depending on the lender, the structure and the security available. Capacity for larger, bespoke tickets is one reason borrowers turn to private credit where bank appetite is constrained by sector, size or timing.
Last updated: July 2026.
Discuss a mandate
Speak to a partner about how this applies to your transaction. A partner responds personally, typically within one business day.
