Meta and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) have partnered with the aim of helping small businesses build more seamless conversational buyer and seller experiences on WhatsApp.
As part of the collaboration, Meta said in a statement that ONDC will help a range of business solution providers to become seller apps, bringing the businesses they service onto the ONDC network and enabling them to drive commerce.
The social media giant added that to kick-off the partnership, over the next two years, it will digitally upskill five lakh MSMEs through the Meta Small Business Academy. Additionally, it will also support Sahayak, ONDC’s WhatApp chatbot, in enhancing the services offered on the bot as the single point of seller communication and customer communication for ONDC.
The new partnership comes as India’s digital transformation continues to unfold at a rapid pace. Earlier this year, Meta launched ‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar’ programme to upskill traders across India on the WhatsApp Business app. More than 60% of people on WhatsApp in India reportedly message a business account.
Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President, Meta in India said: “For this growth to continue, we need the right ecosystem and partnerships that enable millions of small businesses to build and deepen their digital presence. Meta has been a frontrunner in partnering with the government and the industry to advance digital inclusion, especially for MSMEs across India. 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.”
T Koshy, Managing Director & CEO of ONDC added: “Today, for any business to grow, it is critical for them to market themselves and reach a wider audience. 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. I am confident that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for millions of small businesses by providing them with the right impetus for growth.”
