Small businesses in Pakistan are getting a new opportunity to learn how digital tools can help them find customers and grow.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Meta have launched the Small Business Growth Academy, a free training programme for small and medium-sized businesses across the country.
Registration for the programme has already opened. The training is expected to start in September 2026, with more than 1,000 SMEs set to receive training at no cost.
The sessions will focus on tools that business owners can actually use in their day-to-day work. This includes digital platforms as well as newer AI-based tools that can help businesses improve the way they market and run their operations.
Participants will also be shown how to make better use of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Business. The aim is to help business owners reach more people, communicate with customers and promote their products online.
The programme is also encouraging women entrepreneurs to take part. Businesses run women have been specifically invited to join the academy and make use of the training.
For a small business, social media can be an important way of finding new customers. But simply having a Facebook or Instagram page is not always enough. Knowing what to post, how to reach the right audience and how to communicate with customers can make a real difference.
That is where the new programme hopes to help. Rather than focusing only on theory, the training will introduce business owners to digital tools they can use to improve their online presence.
Anyone interested in joining the Small Business Growth Academy can register online. The programme is being offered free of charge as part of efforts to help Pakistani businesses make better use of digital technology.