ONDC and Meta have joined forces to propel small businesses into the digital commerce realm by facilitating seamless conversational experiences on WhatsApp. Through Meta's business and technical solutions, ONDC aims to educate and enable small businesses while helping solution providers become seller apps on the ONDC Network.
In an ambitious initiative, the partnership plans to digitally upskill five lakh MSMEs over the next two years through the Meta Small Business Academy. Aligned with Meta's commitment to upskill 10 million small businesses in India, the academy offers certifications to entrepreneurs and marketers, empowering them with crucial digital marketing skills to flourish on Meta apps.
T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, expressed their commitment to democratizing the digital landscape, emphasizing the need for MSMEs to enhance digital visibility and boost business growth. The collaboration with Meta aims not only to upskill businesses but also to broaden their customer reach, fostering growth for millions of small enterprises.
Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President at Meta in India, highlighted Meta's role in advancing digital inclusion, particularly for MSMEs. The partnership with ONDC aligns with the government's vision for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), contributing to India's rapid digital transformation.
As part of the collaboration, Meta will support Sahayak, ONDC's WhatsApp chatbot, enhancing services as a central point for seller and customer communication. Meta's 'WhatsApp Se Wyapaar' program, launched earlier, underscores their commitment to upskilling traders, with over 200 million users on the WhatsApp Business app globally.
Meta, known for connecting people and businesses, is evolving beyond 2D screens into augmented and virtual reality. ONDC, established in 2021, is a DPIIT initiative envisioned to revolutionize digital commerce, promoting open networks, inclusivity, and independence for consumers.
The partnership's comprehensive approach combines digital upskilling, seamless conversational experiences, and support for ONDC's Sahayak bot, contributing to the growth and transformation of India's digital commerce landscape. This collaboration is a significant step toward empowering MSMEs and fostering digital entrepreneurship across the nation.
