In a strategic move to enhance the digital capabilities of small businesses, Meta, the global tech giant, has teamed up with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-led initiative. The partnership aims to educate and enable small businesses to create engaging buyer-seller experiences on WhatsApp, leveraging Meta’s extensive ecosystem of business and technical solution providers.
As part of this collaboration, Meta will bring its expertise to the table, allowing ONDC’s solution providers to become seller apps. This integration will bring the businesses they serve onto the ONDC network, providing them with valuable tools to drive commerce effectively. The companies have set an ambitious goal to digitally upskill 5 Lakh MSMEs over the next five years through the Meta Small Business Academy.
The Meta Small Business Academy offers certifications to entrepreneurs and marketers, empowering them with digital marketing skills necessary for growth on Meta apps. Through this initiative, both Meta and ONDC aim to contribute to the digital transformation and growth of small businesses in India.
T Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with Meta will not only digitally upskill these businesses but will also enable them to connect with a customer base far and wide. We are confident that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for millions of small businesses by providing them with the right impetus for growth.”
As part of the partnership, Meta will extend support to Sahayak, ONDC’s WhatsApp chatbot, enhancing the services offered on the bot as the primary point of communication for both sellers and customers on the ONDC platform.
Sandhya Devanathan, VP of Meta in India, highlighted Meta’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the ongoing effort to skill small businesses. “Our partnership with ONDC builds on supporting the government’s vision for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and furthering our ongoing commitment to skilling small businesses and aiding this rapid digital transformation and growth story in the country,” she said.
This collaboration follows ONDC’s recent partnerships with various companies to expand its service offerings. Last month, discussions were underway with Ola Cabs to provide last-mile delivery services to sellers on the platform.
While ONDC has shown remarkable progress since its launch in September 2021, with projections of generating $250-300 Bn in ecommerce GMV by 2030, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh emphasized the need to address liability issues for satisfactory consumer services. Singh stated that resolving liability concerns is crucial for the success of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of consumer protection in the evolving digital commerce landscape.
