ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has joined hands with Meta to launch a new Small Business Growth Academy, targeting more than 1,000 small businesses with practical digital and artificial intelligence skills as the government steps up efforts to help local entrepreneurs compete in domestic and global markets.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in partnership with Meta, is designed to accelerate the digital transformation of Pakistan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses.
Under the programme, entrepreneurs will receive market-oriented training on Meta’s digital platforms and AI-powered tools to build their online presence, attract customers, improve marketing, automate customer interactions and boost productivity.
The programme will be implemented by AtomCamp with support from Ignite National Technology Fund, Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and DialZero.
Training will be delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual workshops, structured learning modules and partner-led sessions. The programme will be rolled out in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Quetta.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Khawaja said SMEs were the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and that giving entrepreneurs access to digital and AI capabilities was essential for building a more competitive and innovation-driven economy.
She said the partnership with Meta demonstrated the government’s commitment to public-private collaboration aimed at expanding digital skills and creating new opportunities for businesses.
Tehara Punchihewa, Associate Public Policy Manager for Asia-Pacific at Meta, said the academy would give entrepreneurs practical skills to use AI-enabled tools more confidently, reach customers and compete in an increasingly digital economy.
The programme will give special attention to businesses operating in textiles, handicrafts and IT services, sectors with significant potential for digital expansion and access to international markets.
The academy is part of Meta’s wider Asia-Pacific initiative being rolled out across 12 countries to equip small businesses with digital and AI skills. In Pakistan, the programme will be adapted to local market needs, with the stated aim of turning digital capabilities into measurable gains in productivity, market access and business growth.
The launch comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its digital economy and increase the ability of smaller businesses to use technology not only to survive in the domestic market but also to reach customers beyond the country’s borders.
