Grab Philippines has partnered with the International Trade Centre to strengthen the technology and artificial intelligence capabilities of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises while tracking how digital adoption translates into business growth.
The collaboration brings together Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte and the Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digital Philippines program or Digital PINAS. The pilot phase will bring ITC’s micro-business development expertise to Grab Asenso Learning Caravans in Davao City, Cebu City, the City of San Fernando, Puerto Princesa, and other regional locations through the end of 2026.
Training paired with business monitoring
The partnership will focus on two areas: expert-led masterclasses for participating MSMEs and a merchant monitoring framework designed to assess how the training affects business practices, technology use, and performance.
“Our vision is to build an even more expansive digital road network that reaches more MSMEs across cities and communities nationwide,” said Sherielysse Bonifacio, chief corporate officer of Grab Philippines. “That means going beyond market access and equipping entrepreneurs with the foundational skills, tools, and capabilities they need to participate confidently in the digital economy, expand their opportunities, and pursue sustainable growth.”
The sessions will follow Digital PINAS’ hands-on, practice-driven approach, guiding entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of bringing their businesses online and using digital tools more effectively.
AI, branding, and digital business basics
Core modules will cover setting up and optimizing Digital Business Profiles and online presence, developing branding and marketing content using creative platforms, and applying artificial intelligence tools to improve business operations.
Depending on the needs of MSMEs in each city, the masterclasses may also include e-commerce, financial management, responsible technology adoption, export readiness, and other digital business fundamentals.
Women farmer-entrepreneurs from the Rural Improvement Club Davao City Federation Inc. have already taken part in modules covering AI 101 for small businesses, branding strategy, product photography, and digital business profile optimization.
Grab trainers are also conducting refresher sessions on tools such as Merchant AI Assistant, a 24/7 digital copilot designed to help merchants manage day-to-day business tasks, and Tap and Scan to Pay, which allows them to accept cashless payments through QR codes and cards.
Measuring whether digital skills improve business
Grab and ITC will jointly monitor changes in merchants’ business practices, technology use, and performance through assessments, check-ins, surveys, and adoption data.
They will also track how entrepreneurs apply the tools, technologies, and AI skills gained through the Grab Asenso Learning Sessions, and how those changes affect business performance and growth. The findings are intended to guide future program improvements and contribute to broader learning on MSME digitalization in the Philippines.
“Digital transformation is no longer optional. It’s how small businesses expand into new markets, create livelihoods, and build resilience against shocks, from typhoons to market swings,” said Camille Roy, country program manager at the International Trade Centre.
Roy said the partnership combines Grab’s platform and merchant tools with Digital PINAS’ community-based training to reach MSMEs, particularly those in underserved and underconnected communities.
Digital PINAS supports broader inclusion
Digital PINAS is a joint program funded by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund with contributions from the European Union.
It is implemented by the International Trade Centre, International Labour Organization, and United Nations Development Programme together with government agencies led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
In Summary
Grab Philippines and the International Trade Centre are combining Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte and Digital PINAS to deliver digital and AI training to MSMEs in regional cities through the end of 2026. The program covers online presence, branding, AI tools, e-commerce, payments, and other business fundamentals, while a new monitoring framework will track how participants apply these skills and whether they improve business performance.