In today’s fast-paced digital economy, the ability to sell online is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Across the Middle East, thousands of small businesses and creative entrepreneurs dream of growing their brands beyond word-of-mouth, souks, and Instagram pages. But the reality is that scaling online requires more than just passion. It takes logistics, marketing, payments, and above all, a platform that can provide visibility in front of millions of customers.

Enter Mahali, Noon’s dedicated initiative designed to uplift local micro-enterprises and entrepreneurs. Launched in 2020, Mahali bridges the gap between small, locally owned businesses and the digital economy. It empowers artisans, home-grown startups, and licensed SMEs to build sustainable online businesses through access to Noon’s vast customer base, mentorship, operational support, and marketing channels.

For GC Coupons readers, this guide explores Mahali in complete detail: what it is, who it serves, how to apply, the benefits it provides, and how shoppers can support local sellers while enjoying extra savings with exclusive coupon codes.

What is Mahali?

Mahali is a Noon initiative created exclusively for local micro-entrepreneurs and startups. It is not just a seller onboarding program—it is a business empowerment platform.

Through Mahali, entrepreneurs gain access to millions of customers who shop daily on Noon. But access alone is not enough. What makes Mahali stand out is the hands-on support offered at every stage of the selling journey: from catalog creation to content writing, from influencer marketing to analytics, and from structured mentorship to business planning.

In short, Mahali combines e-commerce reach with the mentorship and training micro-entrepreneurs need to succeed.

Benefits of Selling on Mahali

Joining Mahali provides entrepreneurs with a wide range of benefits that are tailored specifically to their needs. Some of the most impactful advantages include:

1. Visibility and Marketing

  • A dedicated Mahali landing page on Noon.com, featuring curated collections of local products.

  • Special Mahali sale days, giving sellers an opportunity to be part of large promotional events.

  • Influencer-led marketing support, allowing micro-brands to reach a wider audience through partnerships with trusted voices.

  • Slots on Noon’s social media channels, providing exposure to millions of followers across the region.

2. Content and Catalog Support

  • Professional help with content writing, translation, and product creation.

  • Guidance on images, titles, and descriptions to ensure products stand out on Noon.

  • Bilingual content support, ensuring appeal to both Arabic and English-speaking shoppers.

3. Business Planning and Mentorship

  • A personalized six-month mentoring program developed with Noon’s in-house experts.

  • A comprehensive business plan that sets detailed goals, strategies, and an action plan.

  • Monthly reviews of progress to ensure entrepreneurs stay on track.

  • Direct access to functional leaders for advice on pricing, P&L management, marketing, and positioning.

4. Operational Training and Tools

  • A 90-minute onboarding training session introducing sellers to Noon’s Seller Lab and e-commerce essentials.

  • Ongoing access to Noon’s seller toolkit for daily operations, inventory management, and order tracking.

5. Support Beyond Selling

  • Dedicated seller relationship managers who guide the journey.

  • Early-stage financial advantages, such as discounted fees or introductory commission-free periods.

  • Integration into Noon’s ecosystem, including fulfillment and payment systems tailored for small businesses.

Requirements to Sell on Mahali

Not every business qualifies for Mahali. The program is designed specifically for micro-entrepreneurs and small startups, so sellers must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a valid e-commerce or e-trader license.

  • Be owned and managed by nationals (Emirati in the UAE, Saudi in KSA).

  • Produce locally made goods or distribute local/non-local products that can be sold through Noon.com or Noon Daily.

  • Operate as a micro-business or small entrepreneur, not as a large corporation.

These requirements ensure that Mahali remains focused on empowering local talent, small businesses, and community-driven growth.

How Mahali Differs from Noon’s Regular Seller Program

While Noon allows businesses of all sizes to sell through its platform, Mahali is different. It is exclusive to local micro-entrepreneurs and startups and includes benefits not available in the standard seller program.

Feature Mahali Regular Noon Seller
Target Group Local micro-entrepreneurs & startups Any licensed business
Mentorship 6-month tailored mentoring program No structured mentorship
Visibility Dedicated Mahali landing pages & sale days General marketplace visibility
Marketing Influencer-led marketing, Noon social slots Self-managed marketing
Support Content writing, translation, and monthly reviews Limited onboarding support
Community Focus Partnerships with government & community orgs Broader commercial focus

In short, Noon gives you the platform. Mahali gives you the tools, visibility, and mentorship to succeed on it.

Partnerships That Strengthen Mahali

One of the most impressive aspects of Mahali is the network of community and government partnerships that support the program. These collaborations show that Mahali is not only about selling—it’s about nation-building, inclusivity, and economic development.

Mahali is proudly partnered with:

  • Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination – supporting inclusive entrepreneurship and empowering sellers of determination.

  • Ministry of Community Development – aligning Mahali with wider national goals of SME growth and community development.

  • Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development – providing financial and operational support to entrepreneurs within Mahali.

  • Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET) – integrating Mahali into Dubai’s e-commerce ecosystem and supporting Emirati startups.

  • Dubai Club for People of Determination – helping micro-entrepreneurs with determination showcase and sell their products online.

These partnerships ensure Mahali remains not just a commercial initiative, but also a social impact program.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Mahali

Applying to Mahali is straightforward, but it does require preparation:

  1. Check Eligibility

    • Confirm you have a valid trade or e-trader license.

    • Ensure your business is owned and managed by nationals.

  2. Attend a Mahali Awareness Session

    • Noon often organizes introductory sessions to explain how Mahali works.

  3. Enrollment Call & Registration

    • Speak to a relationship manager and register your business through Noon’s seller portal.

  4. Onboarding Training

    • Complete the 90-minute onboarding session where you’ll learn to use the Seller Lab toolkit and understand Noon’s processes.

  5. Catalog Preparation

    • Work on your product titles, descriptions, and images. Mahali provides support here, but being prepared helps you launch faster.

  6. Go Live

    • Once approved, your products go live under the Mahali storefront, and you’ll begin receiving orders.

  7. Monthly Mentorship Reviews

    • For the next six months, you’ll participate in reviews, strategy sessions, and business planning meetings with Noon experts.

Operating Inside Noon’s Ecosystem

As a Mahali seller, you’ll use Noon’s Seller Lab as your central dashboard. From here you can:

  • Upload and manage your product catalog.

  • Track orders in real time.

  • Monitor returns and customer feedback.

  • View statements, invoices, and fees.

  • Access detailed sales reports and analytics.

For fulfillment, sellers have two options:

  • FBN (Fulfilled by Noon): Products are stored and shipped by Noon. Best for fast-moving items.

  • FBP (Fulfilled by Partner): Sellers store and ship themselves. Ideal for small-batch or made-to-order goods.

Read: noon Dubai Traders Program Guide

Payments and Cash Flow

One of the major advantages of selling on Mahali is Noon’s weekly payout system. Payments are processed every week, with statements generated in the Seller Lab. Sellers can clearly see order-level fees, commissions, and net payouts, allowing for predictable cash flow and reinvestment.

Shopper’s Guide: Buying from Mahali

For shoppers, Mahali is not just about buying products—it’s about supporting local entrepreneurs.

  • Mahali collections are prominently featured on Noon, especially during sale events.

  • Products include categories such as fashion, crafts, beauty, home décor, and gifts.

  • Many items are unique, handmade, or inspired by regional heritage, making them special purchases.

Extra Savings Tip:

You can support local entrepreneurs while saving money. Use the Noon Coupon Code “VG64” to receive extra cashback on products listed under Mahali in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. For updated offers, visit the Noon page on GC Coupons.

GC Coupons – Noon Coupons

Success Stories and Impact

Over the years, Mahali has created a ripple effect across the region:

  • Artisan Empowerment: Dozens of micro-entrepreneurs with determination have been able to sell handmade products through Mahali.

  • Recognition: Brands like SpeedyBee became some of the top-rated Mahali sellers thanks to structured mentorship and exposure.

  • Cultural Growth: Partnerships with organizations in Saudi Arabia highlight Mahali’s role in promoting cultural heritage businesses.

Each story proves that Mahali is more than a marketplace. It’s a movement to empower local talent.

Tips for Succeeding on Mahali

  1. Invest in Content Quality: High-quality images and bilingual descriptions boost sales.

  2. Start Small, Scale Gradually: Begin with a core assortment of 10–20 SKUs.

  3. Use Mentorship Wisely: Treat your mentor like a business coach—come prepared with questions.

  4. Plan Promotions Early: Align your offers with Noon’s big events like Yellow Friday and Back-to-School.

  5. Leverage Social Proof: Encourage early buyers to leave reviews. Ratings influence visibility.

  6. Balance Fulfillment Models: Use FBN for your bestsellers while experimenting with FBP for niche products.

  7. Track Weekly Statements: Monitor cash flow closely and align promotions with payout schedules.

Why Mahali Matters

Mahali matters because it levels the playing field. Traditionally, entering e-commerce required upfront investments in marketing, logistics, and technology—barriers too high for most small entrepreneurs. Mahali removes those barriers by giving micro-businesses the tools, visibility, and mentorship they need to grow online.

For governments and communities, Mahali strengthens local economies, creates opportunities, and promotes inclusivity. For shoppers, it provides access to unique, locally made products while allowing them to support entrepreneurs directly.

Conclusion

In just a few years since its launch, Noon’s Mahali program has transformed the way micro-entrepreneurs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia approach e-commerce. It combines the power of Noon’s marketplace with tailored mentorship, structured planning, and dedicated marketing support, creating a pathway for small businesses to thrive online.

For shoppers, Mahali offers something equally rewarding: the chance to support local businesses while enjoying exclusive savings with GC Coupons. Don’t forget to use the coupon code “VG64” to receive extra cashback on Mahali products in the UAE and KSA.

As digital commerce continues to grow, Mahali represents a beacon of inclusivity, empowerment, and opportunity. It proves that with the right platform and support, even the smallest entrepreneur can dream big and compete online.