Uber invests in ONDC to strengthen India's digital infrastructure push
New Delhi, June 2
Ride-hailing platform Uber on Tuesday announced a strategic investment in the Open Network for Digital Commerce, which is one of the earliest investments by a global technology company in India's open digital commerce network.
The company said the investment deepens its commitment to India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem and reflects its long-term strategy of building mobility and logistics services through open and interoperable networks.
The investment builds on Uber's existing partnership with ONDC and follows the company's earlier integration with the network.
As part of the expanded collaboration, Uber said it will work closely with ONDC to increase access to multimodal transportation solutions, including public transit integrations, while also strengthening logistics capabilities for businesses and independent earners operating on the network.
Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said India has emerged as a global leader in building digital public infrastructure that is inclusive and scalable.
"Our ongoing partnership with ONDC and now this investment puts us at the heart of that innovation journey. By investing in this network, we're helping more people move, more businesses grow, and more earners thrive by harnessing the power of the ONDC network," Singh added.
Adil Zainulbhai, Independent Director at ONDC, said the investment reflects growing confidence in India's digital commerce infrastructure and its ability to create a level playing field for businesses.
"Uber's investment is a strong endorsement of India's Digital Public Infrastructure and its potential to drive innovation, efficiency and inclusive growth," he said.
The company said metro ticketing services through Uber are now live across five cities, with more than 10 million metro rides already booked via the ONDC network.
According to Uber, the investment represents a long-term bet on open networks as the foundation for future mobility and logistics services in India.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some global endorsement for India's DPI! While I'm optimistic, I'm a bit skeptical about Uber's long-term motives. They've had issues in other markets. But if this helps local kirana stores and small businesses compete with Amazon and Flipkart, I'm all for it. Let's see if they really deliver on making logistics more affordable for small earners.
This is fantastic! I've used Uber for metro bookings in Bengaluru and it's so convenient. ONDC's potential for multimodal transport is huge—one app for auto, metro, bus, and even food delivery? Bring it on! Just hope privacy and data security are prioritised. India's digital public infrastructure is truly revolutionary. 🙌
Good move but I'm worried about the 'open' part—Uber is a global giant, and open networks can be co-opted. We've seen this happen with UPI where big players dominate. Need clear regulation to prevent monopolisation. Also, what about the small taxi drivers who'll lose out? Hope the govt keeps a close watch.
As a small business owner, this gives me hope! ONDC can level the playing field—I can sell directly without paying huge commissions to big platforms. Uber's logistics network would be a boon for my deliveries. But execution is key. We need better digital literacy and last-mile connectivity in smaller towns. Let's see! 😊
As someone who's worked in tech globally, India's DPI is impressive
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