CIMB Islamic commits RM2.4 million to expand iTEKAD programme for micro-entrepreneurs

16 December 2025

Expanded programme to provide income enhancement opportunities for up to 220 micro-entrepreneurs, gig workers and agropreneurs

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (“CIMB Islamic” or “the Bank”) has allocated RM2.4 million to strengthen its flagship iTEKAD Programme (“the Programme”) aimed at empowering up to 220 micro-entrepreneurs, gig workers and agropreneurs through financial assistance, entrepreneurship training and capacity-building support. 

The Programme seeks to foster sustainable livelihoods and strengthen long-term economic resilience through three key initiatives under one platform – iTEKAD Program Keusahawanan CIMB Islamic–Taylor’s, iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneurship Programme and iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Melon Manis Terengganu Graduate Agropreneur Programme. These initiatives leveraged a blended funding structure that combines matching grants from Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”) with allocations from CIMB Islamic’s Zakat Wakalah funds, ensuring targeted capital deployment for income growth.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic said, “Financial empowerment goes beyond addressing short-term challenges. It is about enabling long term economic mobility and resilience. Through our iTEKAD Programme, we aim to provide the underserved communities with not only financial support but also knowledge, tools and networks to thrive and transition from dependency towards self-sufficiency and business growth. This programme represents our ongoing commitment to inclusive finance and social equity which aligns with our broader purpose of advancing customers and society.

We are committed to continue working with Bank Negara Malaysia and our programme partners, Yayasan Belia Malaysia, Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (“MAIWP”), Lembaga Zakat Selangor, Taylor’s Community and Foodpanda in promoting our shared vision of empowering communities and creating sustainable income opportunities.”

Since its launch, the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered more than 200 gig workers transition to business ownership, expanding from Klang Valley to Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan and Pulau Pinang, reflecting its growing impact and demand. 

In line with the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneurship Programme, Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of CIMB Group presented over 60 motorcycles to gig workers from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor recently at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat in Bukit Jalil. 

CIMB Islamic’s broader suite of iTEKAD initiatives also continues to strengthen economic participation among underserved communities. Similarly, the iTEKAD Program Keusahawanan CIMB Islamic–Taylor’s has supported over 500 micro-entrepreneurs from the Asnaf and B40 community through business grants and structured training. Meanwhile, in Terengganu, the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Melon Manis Terengganu Graduate Agropreneur Programme is nurturing the next generation of youth in modern agriculture, providing entrepreneurship trainings and four greenhouses to empower 40 young agropreneurs who now cultivate over 1,500 melon plants each season. 

Collectively, these efforts align with Bank Negara Malaysia’s iTEKAD umbrella programme, which promotes blended social financing including Waqaf, Zakat, and impact investments along with microfinancing and entrepreneurship development to support sustainable income generation and long-term economic resilience. 

60 gig workers were presented with motorcycles through the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneurship Programme at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat in Bukit Jalil recently.

(From left) Md Fadzli Md Saad, Manager, Asnaf Development Section of MAIWP, Dato’ Dr Suhaimi Ibrahim, Chairman of Yayasan Belia Malaysia, Mazli Che Mat, one of the beneficiaries of the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Rider Entrepreneurship Programme, Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of CIMB Group, Muhd Fikri Naim Harun, Head of Collection Division, Lembaga Zakat Selangor, and Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic pictured during a visit at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat in Bukit Jalil.