Brazil to prepare 10,000 small business owners for entry into online marketplaces

The Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), in partnership with the online marketplace Mercado Livre, has launched a programme to prepare 10,000 small business owners to operate online. This was reported by Brasil 247, a TV BRICS partner.

The project is scheduled to run for 36 months. During this period, participants will receive support in listing products on online marketplaces, registering on digital platforms, setting up online sales channels and gaining access to special business development opportunities.

According to the organisers, although the majority of small businesses in Brazil currently have internet access, fewer than 30 per cent use online marketplaces to sell their products. The training programme is expected to help small enterprises expand their market reach and attract new customers.

According to the organisers, online sales among small businesses increased from approximately US$787 million in 2019 to around US$13.2 billion in 2024, highlighting the growing importance of e-commerce for business development.

The new initiative builds on a partnership launched in 2020. Since then, more than 33,000 entrepreneurs have completed the training programme, while around 4,000 small businesses have begun selling their products through digital marketplaces.