Uber has announced a strategic investment in India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), reinforcing its commitment to the country’s rapidly evolving digital public infrastructure and expanding its footprint in mobility and logistics services.
Global ride-hailing giant Uber has taken a significant step in strengthening its presence in India by investing in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This move marks one of the earliest investments by a global technology company into India’s ambitious open digital commerce initiative.
The investment highlights Uber’s long-term vision of integrating with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a framework designed to create open, inclusive, and scalable digital ecosystems. By aligning itself with ONDC, Uber aims to tap into a rapidly growing network that connects buyers, sellers, and service providers through interoperable platforms.
This development is not just a financial commitment but also a strategic alignment with India’s broader vision of democratizing digital commerce and reducing platform monopolies.
Uber’s investment builds upon its earlier collaboration with ONDC, where the company had already integrated its services into the network. This deeper engagement signals a transition from participation to active contribution in shaping the future of India’s digital commerce ecosystem.
The partnership is expected to accelerate innovation and unlock new opportunities for both companies. By leveraging ONDC’s open network architecture, Uber can expand its offerings beyond ride-hailing into a broader range of services, including logistics and multimodal transportation.
A key aspect of this collaboration is the expansion of mobility solutions. Uber plans to work closely with ONDC to enhance access to multimodal transportation, which includes integrating public transit systems such as metro services with its platform.
This approach will enable users to plan and complete entire journeys seamlessly using a combination of private and public transport options. It aligns with India’s push toward efficient, sustainable, and interconnected urban mobility systems.
Uber revealed that metro ticketing services are already live in five cities, with over 10 million metro rides booked through the ONDC network. This milestone demonstrates the growing adoption of integrated mobility solutions and the potential for further expansion across other cities.
By combining ride-hailing with public transit, Uber aims to position itself as a comprehensive mobility platform rather than just a cab service provider.
In addition to mobility, the partnership focuses heavily on logistics. Uber plans to strengthen delivery and logistics capabilities for businesses operating on the ONDC network.
This includes enabling small businesses, retailers, and independent earners to access efficient delivery solutions without relying on closed platforms. The open network model allows greater participation and creates a level playing field for all stakeholders.
The integration of Uber’s logistics expertise with ONDC’s infrastructure is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery. Businesses can benefit from streamlined logistics operations, while consumers gain access to faster and more reliable services.
Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh emphasized India’s leadership in building inclusive and scalable digital infrastructure. He noted that the company’s partnership and investment in ONDC place Uber at the center of this innovation journey.
According to Singh, the initiative will enable:
He highlighted that leveraging ONDC’s network would help unlock new economic opportunities and drive broader participation in the digital economy.
ONDC leadership also welcomed Uber’s investment as a significant endorsement of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure framework.
Independent Director Adil Zainulbhai stated that the investment reflects growing global confidence in India’s ability to build scalable and inclusive digital systems. He added that ONDC has the potential to transform digital commerce by fostering innovation, improving efficiency, and ensuring fair competition.
This endorsement from a global technology player like Uber underscores the credibility and potential of India’s DPI model on the global stage.
Uber’s move supports the growth of open networks, which aim to break the dominance of closed platforms and encourage fair competition.
By investing in ONDC, Uber is contributing to the expansion of India’s digital commerce landscape, enabling more businesses to go online.
The integration of public transit with ride-hailing services will make urban transportation more efficient and user-friendly.
The partnership is expected to generate new income streams for drivers, delivery partners, and small businesses.
Uber described the investment as a long-term bet on open networks as the foundation for future mobility and logistics services in India. The company believes that interoperable systems like ONDC will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of digital transformation.
As India continues to invest in digital infrastructure, collaborations like this are likely to drive innovation and redefine how services are delivered across sectors.
Conclusion
Uber’s strategic investment in ONDC marks a pivotal moment in India’s digital journey. By aligning with the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in mobility and logistics.
The partnership not only strengthens Uber’s presence in India but also contributes to the broader goal of building an inclusive, efficient, and scalable digital ecosystem. As the ONDC network continues to grow, this collaboration could serve as a blueprint for future integrations between global technology firms and open digital platforms.