Grab Philippines Empowers Small Businesses with AI and Cashless Payments

Grab Philippines has launched new digital tools to help small businesses adapt to growing online demand. The company’s latest initiatives include an AI assistant for merchants and expanded cashless payment options. These updates aim to support thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

The final leg of Grab’s nationwide training program, the Asenso Learning Caravan, recently took place in Cebu. Hundreds of local entrepreneurs attended workshops on digital marketing, AI tools, and mobile payments to boost their businesses. Grab’s new offerings include the Merchant AI Assistant and an upgraded Tap & Scan to Pay service. These tools allow even home-based sellers and small eateries to accept QR PH and credit card payments. Merchants using the service also gain automatic enrolment in an income protection scheme, providing support during unexpected disruptions like natural disasters.

The Asenso Learning Caravan equipped participants with skills in online marketing, social media optimisation, and mobile photography. By adopting these tools, Grab hopes to help MSMEs capture more digital sales—currently, 30% of transactions among its top partners come from on-demand deliveries.

Cebu played a central role in the program, hosting the final training session. The city is home to thousands of Grab’s Visayas-based merchants, reinforcing its position as a key hub in the region’s digital economy. Cebu City Councilor Jose Abellanosa commended Grab’s efforts, noting how the programs align with the city’s goals of building a smart, sustainable, and inclusive community.

Paula Catanghal, Grab Philippines’ deputy head for Cities, described the Asenso: Digital Diskarte Program as the company’s flagship initiative for digital inclusion. The push comes as more MSMEs nationwide prepare to shift toward mobile-first payments and AI-driven tools to expand their reach. The training and new tools are set to accelerate digital adoption among Filipino MSMEs. With expanded payment options and AI support, small businesses can now access wider markets and improve efficiency. Grab’s program also provides a safety net for merchants facing unforeseen challenges, ensuring greater resilience in a fast-changing economy.