Global digital operator Veon has signed a memorandum of understanding with the GSMA’s Mobile for Development Foundation to jointly back technology start-ups in Pakistan, with JazzWorld, the country’s leading integrated digital services company, serving as the primary vehicle for the partnership.
The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of MWC26 in Barcelona, with signatures from John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer of the GSMA and President of the GSMA Foundation, and Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld.
Under the terms of the MoU, JazzWorld will co-fund Pakistani start-ups selected as grantees through the GSMA Innovation Fund’s 2026 funding rounds. Selection follows a publicly announced, competitive evaluation process managed by the GSMA Foundation, focused specifically on ventures whose models generate measurable social, economic, or climate impact through mobile technology.
Beyond direct financing, JazzWorld may also provide in-kind contributions including ecosystem visibility and capacity-building support to help chosen projects grow.
“JazzWorld has a strong track record of working with the Pakistan’s entrepreneurs to accelerate digital innovation in Pakistan. We look forward to collaborating further with the GSMA Foundation to support the next generation of entrepreneurs who are building locally-relevant digital solutions that generate growth for Pakistani communities across various service verticals,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO, JazzWorld.
The significance of the arrangement for Pakistan’s startup landscape lies in what JazzWorld brings beyond a cheque. As the country’s dominant digital operator, JazzWorld carries with it access to a massive subscriber base, established distribution infrastructure, and deep relationships with regulators, all of which represent substantial non-financial value for early-stage companies trying to reach scale inside Pakistan’s market.
The MoU also extends to Banglalink, Veon’s digital operator in Bangladesh, which will participate in co-funding start-ups selected in that country under the same framework. Talking to media, John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA and President of the GSMA Foundation, said:
“Jazz and Banglalink, both part of Veon Group, play a leading role in shaping the digital landscape in Pakistan and Bangladesh… Collaborating with them will further enhance the support of the GSMA Innovation Fund for entrepreneurs driving positive social impact in these two countries.”
The deal places JazzWorld directly inside a structured, internationally governed funding pipeline at a moment when Pakistan’s technology sector is actively seeking credible institutional backing. Telecoms operators across emerging markets have increasingly moved beyond infrastructure provision in recent years, positioning themselves as stakeholders in broader digital economy development.
For Pakistan, where mobile penetration remains the primary gateway to internet access for tens of millions of people, a partnership anchored in a major carrier carries particular reach.
The GSMA Innovation Fund (the “Fund”) identifies and supports start-ups with models that drive positive social, economic, and climate impact through mobile technology in developing countries. Projects are selected by the GSMA Foundation transparently and on a competitive basis through a rigorous evaluation process following publicly-announced funding rounds.
