New initiative aims to equip more than 1,000 Pakistani businesses with digital and AI skills to expand markets and improve competitiveness.
ISLAMABAD: Meta, in partnership with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), has launched the Small Business Growth Academy in Pakistan to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt digital and AI-enabled technologies and expand their access to domestic and international markets.
The initiative is designed to support the digital transformation of Pakistani businesses by providing entrepreneurs with practical skills to strengthen their online presence, improve marketing, automate customer interactions and enhance productivity.
The programme is aligned with the government’s broader vision of developing an inclusive and digitally empowered economy, with particular emphasis on small businesses and women-led ventures.
The Small Business Growth Academy aims to reach more than 1,000 small businesses across Pakistan through in-person and virtual workshops, structured learning modules and partner-led training.
The training will focus on Meta’s digital platforms and AI-enabled tools, helping entrepreneurs reach new customers, improve their marketing strategies and identify opportunities for expansion in local and international markets.
The programme will be implemented by AtomCamp in collaboration with Meta and supported by the Ignite National Technology Fund, Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and DialZero.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Khawaja said empowering small and medium-sized enterprises with digital and AI capabilities was essential for building a more inclusive and competitive economy.
She said SMEs form the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and that equipping them with digital capabilities would help create new opportunities, strengthen digital skills and support the country’s transition towards a digital economy.
The minister also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the government, technology companies and industry stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach businesses across Pakistan.
Meta’s Associate Public Policy Manager for Asia-Pacific, Tehara Punchihewa, said small businesses were increasingly using AI-enabled tools to reach customers and grow.
She said the academy would provide entrepreneurs with practical skills and support to use digital tools more confidently and compete effectively in the evolving digital economy.
The programme will be rolled out in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Quetta, with particular attention to women-led businesses and entrepreneurs operating in sectors such as textiles, handicrafts and IT services.
The Small Business Growth Academy is part of Meta’s wider Asia-Pacific initiative, which is being rolled out across 12 countries to equip entrepreneurs with practical digital and AI skills.
In Pakistan, the programme will be tailored to local market requirements, with a focus on helping businesses translate digital capabilities into growth, improved market access and greater competitiveness.