Xiaomi launches an online learning platform with an eye on emerging markets

Pakistan's edtech industry is entering a new phase after Jazz opened a regional headquarters, executives and investors told WritePures this week.

Behind the scenes, the deal took nearly 30 months to negotiate, according to two people involved in the talks who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.

The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $12 million in Q3 2025, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.

Advertisement

Background

Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first markets.

"This is the biggest shift we have seen in e-commerce in a decade, and Pakistan is finally part of the conversation."

Rabia Ahmed, policy adviser at Dastgyr

Several competitors have made similar bets. JazzCash expanded into Lahore earlier this year, while Google has been quietly hiring engineers in Lahore and Islamabad.

The bigger picture

Universities are responding too. GIKI has added new courses in gaming, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 35% this year.

Key points

• Regulatory approval from the State Bank of Pakistan still pending
• Competitors including Bykea are expected to respond within months
• New features will support Urdu alongside English
• Funding round values the company at about $250 million

Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the telecom business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2019.

Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the National Incubation Center said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.

Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.