Meta and ONDC: Empowering Small Businesses
Meta has teamed up with ONDC to help small businesses in India thrive in the digital commerce landscape. This collaboration aims to create a seamless experience for buyers and sellers on WhatsApp by leveraging an ecosystem of business and technical solution providers. These solution providers will become seller apps, integrating the businesses they support into the ONDC network to drive commerce effectively.
Digital Upskilling Through Meta Small Business Academy
As part of this partnership, Meta will digitally upskill five lakh micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Meta Small Business Academy. This initiative is a stepping stone in Meta’s broader commitment to upskill 10 million small businesses across India. The academy offers certification programs designed to equip entrepreneurs and marketers with essential digital marketing skills, enabling them to grow their businesses using Meta’s apps.
Statements from Industry Leaders
T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, expressed confidence in the partnership: “At ONDC, we are committed to accelerating and democratizing the digital landscape. By empowering MSMEs, we aim to enhance their digital visibility and business growth. Our partnership with Meta will not only upskill these businesses but also help them reach a broader audience. I am confident that our collaborative efforts will provide the necessary boost for millions of small businesses.”
Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President of Meta in India, highlighted the importance of the digital transformation: “India’s digital transformation is progressing at an extraordinary pace. For this growth to continue, we need an ecosystem and partnerships that enable small businesses to build and enhance their digital presence. Meta has been at the forefront of digital inclusion for MSMEs in India. Our partnership with ONDC supports the government’s vision for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and reinforces our commitment to skilling small businesses and fostering rapid digital growth in the country.”
Enhancing Sahayak: ONDC’s WhatsApp Chatbot
As part of the collaboration, Meta will also support the enhancement of Sahayak, ONDC’s WhatsApp chatbot. This bot serves as a single point of communication for sellers and customers on the ONDC network, streamlining interactions and improving service delivery.
‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar’: Empowering Traders
Earlier this year, Meta launched the ‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar’ program, aiming to upskill 10 million traders across 29 states in 11 Indian languages on the WhatsApp Business app. With over 200 million users worldwide, the WhatsApp Business app is a crucial tool for businesses. In India alone, more than 60% of WhatsApp users communicate with a business account, highlighting the app’s significant role in business operations.
Conclusion
Meta’s partnership with ONDC marks a significant step towards empowering small businesses in India through digital commerce. By focusing on digital upskilling and creating seamless conversational experiences, this collaboration aims to boost the growth and visibility of MSMEs across the country. As India’s digital transformation continues, initiatives like these will be vital in ensuring that small businesses can effectively harness the power of digital tools and platforms to thrive in the modern economy.