Tencent has announced a multi-year commitment backed by an initial allocation of over Rs. 100 million, or 10 crore, to support the development of India’s “Orange Economy.” The funding is directed toward the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector, with resources earmarked for curriculum development, industry training, and mentorship programs.
The initiative is designed to align with India’s national objective of training and employing two million skilled professionals in the AVGC-XR sector by 2030.
Strategic Partnerships and MoUs
To facilitate this long-term strategy, Tencent has established three-year Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key Indian industry bodies:
- Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC): The partnership aims to strengthen national capacity building, facilitate ongoing industry dialogue, and assist Indian AVGC companies in integrating into international value chains. This aligns with broader efforts to position India as a global hub for AVGC service exports.
- Game Developers Association of India (GDAI): This MoU focuses on developing the gaming talent pipeline through grassroots engagement. Key initiatives include a National Game Jam targeting over 10,000 students annually, Train-the-Trainer programs for college educators, and structured participation in the Indian Game Developers Conference (IGDC).
Industry Event and Stakeholder Engagement
The announcements were formalized at an inaugural event titled “Tencent | Building India’s Orange Economy Together.” The gathering convened policymakers, industry leaders, and AVGC institutions to deliberate on the sector’s growth.
Attendees included senior government officials such as Dr. Abhay Sinha, Director General of SEPC, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, alongside representatives from the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Esports Federation of India (ESFI), and NODWIN Gaming.
The event featured two primary panel discussions:
- Charting Pathways to the Global Gaming Industry: Focused on public-private collaborations required to build career pathways for youth and position India as an interactive entertainment hub.
- Taking India to the Global Stage: Examined the relationship between grassroots community building, workforce development, and esports governance.
Market Outlook and Long-Term Ecosystem Strategy
The investment occurs against a backdrop of projected growth in the regional gaming market. According to research firm Niko Partners, India is currently the fastest-growing market in the Asia and MENA regions. Forecasts indicate that the Indian market will reach $1.5 billion in player spending by 2028, with the number of gamers projected to hit 724 million by 2029.
Beyond the formal MoUs, Tencent outlined a broader ecosystem approach for its operations in India. The company plans to:
- Explore additional partnerships with local institutions for internships, professional exposure, and knowledge exchange.
- Support local esports and content creator communities through the introduction of global gaming titles, such as Honor of Kings, to the Indian market.
The initiatives represent Tencent’s strategy to integrate with India’s expanding digital infrastructure and growing creative talent base, connecting the local AVGC-XR workforce with global industry opportunities.
Danny Marti, Head of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Tencent, said:
Our goal goes beyond investing in programmes. We want to work with local partners to build practical pathways for talent, creators, and studios. By combining India’s creative strengths with Tencent’s expertise, we hope to support a more connected and globally competitive AVGC ecosystem.
The AVGC sector is an important driver of India’s services exports and creative competitiveness. Our future potential collaborations with Tencent will aim to help strengthen industry capabilities and offer more opportunities for Indian companies and professionals in the international market.
Shruti Verma, CEO, GDAI, said:
India is at a defining moment in its gaming journey, with the opportunity to emerge as a global hub for game development and interactive entertainment. Through this partnership with Tencent, we aim to strengthen the talent pipeline through grassroots skilling, mentorship, and deeper developer engagement. Building globally competitive gaming talent from India will be key to shaping the next phase of the country’s digital and creative economy.