India Infrastructure and AI Get Rakuten's $100M Boost

Japanese internet giant Rakuten plans to invest at least USD 100 million in India this year, aiming to strengthen its global operations with a sharp focus on artificial intelligence and infrastructure. As part of this strategy, the company also intends to grow its India workforce by 8%.

Rakuten India CEO Sunil Gopinath confirmed the move, stating the investment will support technology upgrades, infrastructure expansion, and hiring initiatives. “We’re seeking AI-savvy talent we can integrate across the company,” he noted.

Active across fintech, e-commerce, and telecom, Rakuten is leveraging AI to enhance business tools, customer experience, and employee productivity. Its India-based Global Capability Centre (GCC), which develops core platforms such as Rakuten Pay and the predictive monitoring tool SixthSense, plays a central role in these efforts.

Rakuten currently employs 4,000 people in India, 90% of whom are in tech roles. The GCC handles nearly half of Rakuten’s 70+ businesses and operates from multiple locations, including two major centres in Bengaluru. The company is actively hiring advanced AI users to fuel innovation.

AI implementation has already improved internal efficiency, such as reducing time spent on creating sales materials. This expansion coincides with the rise of India’s GCC market, expected to grow from USD 64.6 billion in 2024 to USD 105 billion by FY 2030, according to a Nasscom-Zinnov report. Rakuten’s investment highlights India’s growing importance in global tech and AI development.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.