Govt, Meta introduce nationwide digital, AI training for small businesses

August 11, 2026 (MLN): The government has partnered with Meta to roll out a nationwide training programme aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses across Pakistan adopt digital and AI-enabled tools for growth, innovation and access to domestic and international markets.

The Small Business Growth Academy, launched by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with Meta, is aligned with the government's vision of building an inclusive, digitally empowered economy in which businesses, particularly small enterprises and women-led ventures, can leverage technology to enhance productivity, expand their customer base and compete more effectively in the global digital marketplace.

The Academy will provide practical, market-oriented training on Meta's digital platforms and AI-enabled tools.

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

The programme aims to reach more than 1,000 small businesses across Pakistan through in-person and virtual workshops, structured learning modules and partner-led training.

Training will focus on helping entrepreneurs build and strengthen their digital presence, reach new customers, enhance marketing effectiveness, automate customer interactions, improve productivity and identify opportunities for expansion in local and international markets.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Khawaja said small and medium-sized enterprises were the backbone of Pakistan's economy, and that empowering them with digital and AI capabilities was central to the Prime Minister's vision of an inclusive, innovation-driven future.

She said the partnership with Meta showed the government's commitment to fostering meaningful public-private collaboration that creates opportunities for businesses, strengthens digital skills and accelerates Pakistan's journey towards a "Digital Nation Pakistan."

She further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, technology companies and industry stakeholders in ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach businesses across Pakistan.

Tehara Punchihewa, Associate Public Policy Manager for Asia-Pacific at Meta, said the company sees every day how small businesses use its AI-enabled tools to reach customers and grow, adding that the Academy is about giving more entrepreneurs the practical skills and support they need to use these tools confidently, compete more effectively, and take part in the opportunities being created by the digital economy.

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

The Small Business Growth Academy is being rolled out across 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with the initial objective of supporting businesses across the 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, improved market access and increased competitiveness.

The Academy in Pakistan 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 opportunities offered by the digital economy.

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