According to the World Bank’s 2024 Enterprise Surveys, one in three businesses in Türkiye identifies access to finance as their biggest challenge. Extended collection terms and rising operating costs are pushing working capital management to the forefront of corporate agendas for 2026. Octet Türkiye CEO Derya Ekemen Fidan emphasizes that companies capable of managing working capital effectively will be the clear winners in the coming period.

The OECD’s Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2025 Outlook highlights that small and medium sized enterprises are facing increasingly tighter financing conditions due to rising interest rates and global uncertainties. In parallel, the World Bank data shows that 33 percent of businesses in Türkiye see access to finance as their primary obstacle. This landscape underscores the critical importance of disciplined and agile cash flow management.

Evaluating these findings, Derya Ekemen Fidan stated:

“Organizations that manage working capital with agility become more resilient in the face of economic uncertainty. Extended maturities and higher financing costs directly impact corporate sustainability. In 2026, companies that effectively manage their working capital will secure a significant competitive advantage.”

A Strategic Shift in Financial Priorities

Ekemen Fidan noted that corporate financial priorities have evolved significantly in recent years:

“Since 2020, the greatest risk for businesses has been cash flow fragility. Companies of all sizes now demand real time visibility and control over their payment and collection processes. This is precisely where fintech solutions play a transformative role.”

Octet’s internal data reflects a notable shift in payment behavior. Compared to the third quarter of 2024, the same period in 2025 showed a decline in single installment transactions, while installment based transactions increased substantially. Three installment transactions grew by 59 percent, while twelve installment transactions rose by 52 percent year over year.

“These figures demonstrate that businesses are acting more cautiously and strategically,” Ekemen Fidan explained. “Managing cash flow through structured maturities and strategically planned payment terms has become a deliberate choice.”

Ekemen Fidan added:

“Maturity based transactions are no longer merely financial decisions; they are strategic tools. Companies aim not only to increase sales but also to optimize cash conversion cycles and manage working capital sustainably.”

Accelerating Collections as a Growth Imperative

According to Ekemen Fidan, financial technologies are increasingly central to corporate growth strategies.

“As collection cycles lengthen, businesses lose operational flexibility. Accelerating collections has become a fundamental pillar of sustainable growth. At Octet Türkiye, our payment and collection solutions are designed to ease cash flow pressures and enhance operational sustainability.”

As economic volatility continues and financing conditions remain tight, working capital management is emerging as one of the most decisive performance indicators for 2026. Companies that leverage digital financial tools to optimize liquidity, improve visibility, and strengthen resilience will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty and capture growth opportunities.