Vceela has been awarded a grant as part of the GSMA Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fȕr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the GSMA and its members.

The Fund aims to increase mobile internet adoption and usage for the underserved not currently able to use mobile internet services.

The problem

The artisan and creative sector makes up 15% of the total workforce in Pakistan, making this sector the second largest employer in the country. More than 85% of artisans are not connected digitally which unfortunately makes them more vulnerable to exploitation from middlemen.

The company

Vceela is a social enterprise which strives to empower artists and artisans. Vceela aims to connect unconnected artisans to local and international markets, helping them to grow sustainable businesses through skill development, design consultation, viable partnerships and market access.

The project

Through this project, Vceela plan to scale their existing solution in order to reach 50,000 artisans who will all be trained to use mobile services. Vceela’s mobile technology will enable artisans to build their own digital presence and to gain access to the global market, helping to bridge the digital gap that often leaves artisans vulnerable to exploitation. Through this technology, they will be able to more easily source raw material, market and sell their products, collect payments and receive microfinance. The project will have a particular focus on disadvantaged groups including women and persons with disabilities.

“Millions of digitally unconnected artisans don’t get the fair share of their creations as they are stuck in a centuries old exploitative system run by middlemen. Vceela creates an ecosystem which connects these unconnected artisans directly to the global market.”

– Akeel Khalid, Founder and CEO, Vceela