Meta, Pakistan to train 1,000 SMEs

Programme targets upscaling digital, AI skills for women-led businesses in 9 major cities

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in partnership with Meta, has launched the Small Business Growth Academy to accelerate digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses, the ministry said on Tuesday.

The programme aims to reach more than 1,000 SMEs through in-person and virtual workshops, structured learning modules and partner-led training. It will provide practical training on Meta's digital platforms and AI-enabled tools.

The initiative is aligned with the government's vision of building an inclusive, digitally empowered economy in which businesses – particularly women-led ventures – can leverage technology to enhance productivity and expand their customer base.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Khawaja said empowering SMEs with digital and AI capabilities was essential to building a more innovative and competitive economy.

"Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Pakistan's economy," Khawaja said. "Empowering them with digital and AI capabilities is central to the prime minister's vision of an inclusive, innovation-driven future. This partnership with Meta reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful public-private collaboration."

Tehara Punchihewa, Associate Public Policy Manager for Asia-Pacific at Meta, said the company sees every day how small businesses use AI-enabled tools to reach customers and grow. "The Small Business Growth Academy is about giving more entrepreneurs the practical skills and support they need to use these tools confidently and compete more effectively," she said.

The training will focus on enabling entrepreneurs to build their digital presence, reach new customers, enhance marketing effectiveness, automate customer interactions and improve productivity.

The programme will be implemented in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Quetta, with particular emphasis on supporting women-led businesses in textiles, handicrafts and IT services.

The programme will be delivered in collaboration with Meta, implemented by AtomCamp, and supported by Ignite National Technology Fund, Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and DialZero.

The Small Business Growth Academy is being rolled out across 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In Pakistan, the programme will be tailored to local market requirements, with a focus on practical digital capabilities that can translate directly into business growth.

The initiative forms part of Meta's broader Asia-Pacific initiative to collaborate with governments, industry partners and local organisations to equip entrepreneurs with practical digital and AI skills and expand their participation in the digital economy.