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.

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.

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.

Vceela is one of the start-ups supported by the GSMA Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion, which was launched in April 2020. It is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fȕr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the GSMA and its members.

Learn more about the GSMA Innovation Fund here.