Digital Startups Spotlight Cambodia’s Evolving Digital Economy

A new wave of technology driven startups emerged as a major highlight at the Digital Government Forum 2025, demonstrating how innovation is actively transforming Cambodia’s financial services, media landscape, transport systems, and property management sector. The forum revealed a growing maturity within the country’s startup ecosystem, where entrepreneurs are no longer experimenting but delivering practical digital solutions designed to solve real world challenges. These young companies showcased how smart use of technology can improve efficiency, transparency, and access across key industries that directly affect businesses and everyday citizens.

A National Platform for Digital Governance and Innovation

Organised by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Digital Government Forum 2025 took place from December 5 to 7 and served as a central meeting point for policymakers, private sector leaders, and technology entrepreneurs. The event focused on digital governance, connectivity, and innovation, offering startups a rare opportunity to present their ideas alongside established institutions. Within the Digital Startup showcase space, founders engaged directly with stakeholders, highlighting how their solutions align with Cambodia’s broader digital transformation goals and economic development priorities.

Connecting Traditional Banking with Blockchain Finance

Blockchain finance startup Monflo presented a vision of bridging conventional banking systems with decentralised finance to enhance transparency and efficiency. Founder and CEO Chhay Lin Lim explained that blockchain offers greater financial autonomy, especially for cross border transactions that are often slow and costly through traditional channels. Monflo enables users to transfer funds between standard bank accounts and blockchain finance using an International Bank Account Number, automatically converting deposits into stablecoins backed by the euro, US dollar, or Khmer riel for fast and affordable global transfers. “Blockchain technology makes money more transparent and verifiable,” Chhay Lin said, while also pointing out that regulators in Europe, the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong are increasingly accepting stablecoins, urging Cambodia to consider similar frameworks to remain competitive.

Simplifying Financial Choices Through AI Integration

FinLuy addressed one of Cambodia’s most persistent financial challenges which is fragmentation across nearly 150 financial institutions. Founder and CEO Niraj Gupta highlighted the absence of a single platform where consumers can easily compare financial products and make informed decisions. FinLuy aggregates services from banks and microfinance institutions into one AI powered platform, allowing users to compare offerings, learn about financial products, and apply directly. By using AI driven recommendations, the platform matches users with products suited to their specific needs. “Our goal is to bring transparency and fair access to financial products for everyone in Cambodia,” said Gupta.

Fighting Misinformation for a Digital Generation
Media startup Quick News positioned itself as a solution to misinformation among young audiences who primarily consume news through social media. Founder Sun Ratanak explained that the platform blends short video formats popular on TikTok and Instagram with content from trusted media outlets and verified creators. “What makes us different is that only trusted content creators and news organisations can publish on our platform,” he said. Beyond credibility, Quick News also focuses on sustainable journalism by sharing 40 per cent of its revenue with content creators, a significantly higher return than mainstream platforms. “If you want to reach Gen Z with factual content and earn fairly, QuickNews is the right platform,” Sun added.

Redefining Storytelling Through Personalised Digital Reading

Echo Weaver introduced a new approach to digital reading by offering personalised stories that evolve based on individual user preferences. Co founded by Seng Vosumtey, the platform allows readers to input ideas, characters, or themes and receive stories delivered chapter by chapter. Unlike traditional books or generic AI tools, Echo Weaver adapts over time as user interests change, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. “The story grows with you,” Seng explained. “It remembers your preferences and adapts as you change.”

Smart Platforms for Transport and Property Management

In the transport sector, TapApp demonstrated how digital platforms can simplify long distance travel across Cambodia. Representative Kim Tipvireak Rith explained that the service offers taxi bookings across all 25 provinces, selected cross border routes, car rentals, moving services, and pet friendly taxis supported by 24 hour customer service. The platform’s impact was underscored by receiving TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in both 2024 and 2025. In property management, Zoneer showcased tools designed to reduce manual workloads for landlords. Representative Seanghort Born explained that the platform automates utility tracking, invoice generation, and data collection, making it easier to manage rooms, apartments, and condominiums efficiently.

Conclusion

The Digital Government Forum 2025 highlighted the growing momentum of Cambodia’s innovation ecosystem, where startups are increasingly delivering solutions that respond to everyday needs across finance, media, transport, and property. These emerging companies reflect a broader shift toward practical digital adoption, positioning Cambodia to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness as it continues its journey toward a digitally enabled economy.

Cambodia has reiterated its long term commitment to building a people centred, inclusive and development orientated digital society, while urging stronger regional and international cooperation to close the global digital divide, particularly for least developed countries. This position was articulated at the High level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, convened to review the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society outcomes, where Cambodia underscored the importance of ensuring that digital progress benefits all citizens without exclusion.

National Priorities Highlighted at the United Nations

Speaking at the UN forum, Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Keo Chhea, outlined the Kingdom’s national digital priorities and shared its perspectives on global digital governance. He stressed that Cambodia’s digital agenda is closely aligned with international frameworks, particularly the WSIS vision, which seeks to create an information society where “everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge.” His remarks positioned Cambodia as an active participant in shaping a fairer and more balanced global digital future.

Digital Transformation Under the Pentagonal Strategy

Ambassador Keo highlighted that Cambodia’s digital transformation is being advanced through the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, which places digital development at the core of national growth. He emphasised that the country is entering what he described as “a new era of democratisation of access to knowledge (and) technologies.” This strategic direction reflects Cambodia’s ambition to use digital tools as a catalyst for inclusive economic and social development across the nation.

Policy Frameworks Driving Digital Growth

Digital transformation has been designated as the fifth pillar of Cambodia’s national development plan, serving as a key driver of sustainable development. To operationalise this vision, the government is implementing the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework alongside the Digital Government Policy. Together, these frameworks aim to expand digital connectivity, strengthen human capital, modernise public services and ensure that technological progress delivers tangible benefits to all segments of society, including underserved and rural communities.

WSIS as a Pillar of Global Digital Governance

In the broader global context, Ambassador Keo stressed that the WSIS process must remain a central pillar of global digital governance, especially for least developed countries that continue to face structural barriers to accessing digital technologies. He warned that without sustained international focus, existing inequalities in digital access could widen, undermining global development efforts and leaving vulnerable populations further behind.

Bridging the Digital Divide Through Collective Action

The Cambodian envoy outlined two key priorities, beginning with a call for the international community to intensify collective efforts to narrow the persistent digital divide. He cautioned that unequal access to technology poses a serious risk to inclusive development and stated, “It is imperative that we collectively redouble our efforts to bridge the persistent digital divide to ensure no one is left behind,” reinforcing the urgency of coordinated global action.

Strengthening International Cooperation for LDCs

Ambassador Keo also underscored the importance of enhanced international cooperation, calling for stronger South South, North South and triangular cooperation. He noted that such partnerships are vital for facilitating capacity building, technology transfer and knowledge sharing for developing and least developed countries. As he told delegates, “We call for further strengthening the South-South and North-South and Triangle Cooperation to facilitate essential capacity building, technology transfers and knowledge sharing for LDCs,” highlighting collaboration as a cornerstone of digital inclusion.

Cambodia’s Readiness to Build an Inclusive Digital Future

Concluding his intervention, Ambassador Keo reaffirmed Cambodia’s readiness to work closely with international partners to advance the WSIS goals and contribute to a secure and inclusive digital future. He stated, “Cambodia reiterates its firm commitment to materialising the WSIS visions and stands ready to work closely with all partners to build an open, secure and inclusive digital future for all.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s message at the United Nations reflects a clear and consistent vision of digital development that places people at its centre while recognising the necessity of strong international cooperation. By aligning national strategies with global frameworks such as WSIS and advocating for collective action to bridge the digital divide, Cambodia is positioning itself as a committed partner in shaping an inclusive, secure and development driven global digital society.

Cambodia Prepares for Nationwide 5G Rollout Beginning in 2026

Cambodia is entering a new era of digital advancement as Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth confirmed that 5G services will begin operating in 2026 across Phnom Penh and five selected provinces. Announced during the Cambodia Internet Governance Forum 2025 on 6 December 2025, this major technology milestone reflects years of preparation and significant investment planning by telecom operators. The Minister explained that providers have established detailed strategies to ensure strong and reliable network performance, outlining a commitment to build up to five hundred antenna towers each year per operator. Over a three year period, this expansion is expected to reach two thousand towers, ultimately strengthening both 4G and 5G coverage for users nationwide.

Official Launch Marks a Turning Point for Cambodia’s Digital Future

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications formally introduced Cambodia’s 5G mobile service operations on 5 December 2025 in an event chaired by His Excellency Vongsey Vissoth, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers. This official launch symbolizes more than the arrival of a new generation of mobile connectivity. It represents a crucial step in Cambodia’s long term digital development strategy as the country aims to strengthen communication infrastructure, enhance access to services, and create new opportunities for growth across both public and private sectors.

Transformative Benefits Expected from 5G Technology

The adoption of 5G technology is set to deliver transformative advantages that go far beyond faster internet. With data speeds expected to be up to ten times quicker than current 4G networks, users will experience smoother streaming, quicker downloads, and improved digital service performance. The near real time responsiveness of 5G will allow critical operations to function more efficiently, benefiting areas such as emergency response and intelligent traffic management. The technology also offers exceptional capacity to support millions of devices within a concentrated area, enabling the expansion of smart cities, digital agriculture solutions, and technologically advanced manufacturing processes. These improvements collectively promise to stimulate innovation across logistics, fintech, e commerce, and startup ecosystems while strengthening essential e services for education, health, and government. The broader impact includes enhanced competitiveness, new job creation, and greater appeal for foreign and local investment.

A Strategic Foundation for Cambodia’s Digital Transformation

More than a simple improvement in mobile speed, 5G is positioned to become the central backbone of Cambodia’s digital transformation journey. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has already completed extensive studies on deployment strategies and has gathered insights from every telecom operator to ensure a coordinated national approach. Ongoing collaborations between the Ministry and network providers aim to guarantee a smooth and effective rollout of 5G services across the country. As Cambodia continues to evolve socially and economically, the introduction of 5G stands as a pivotal step in meeting future demands and unlocking new possibilities for digital innovation.

The second day of the eighteenth Cambodia Trade Expo 2025 placed a strong emphasis on women’s leadership in the national business landscape, signaling a major push toward greater gender inclusivity in commerce. The event showcased a dedicated forum that celebrated women’s contributions in multiple sectors while stressing the urgency of widening opportunities for female entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in trade and economic development. With growing interest from policymakers, development partners and the private sector, the expo reinforced a shared commitment to elevating women as drivers of growth and innovation.

Women in Commerce Forum Highlights the Gender Agenda

Organised by the Ministry of Commerce’s Gender Working Group, the “Women in Commerce” forum served as a platform to recognise women’s vital economic roles and to encourage more active engagement in entrepreneurship, trade and commercial governance. Attendees included representatives from government institutions, financial organisations, development agencies and established private sector players. Their discussions provided valuable insights drawn from real experiences, particularly around how to empower women to enter and advance in business despite ongoing constraints.

Underscoring Women’s Role in Economic Growth

Keynote speaker Serei Borapich, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, emphasised that women remain central to Cambodia’s economic growth yet often lack the recognition and support they deserve. She highlighted that women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises represent a substantial share of the economy, especially in retail, services and light manufacturing, but many female entrepreneurs continue to face difficulties in scaling their operations. “Women in Cambodia possess enormous entrepreneurial potential, but access to finance, digital skills, market information and networking opportunities remains limited for many,” she said. “Strengthening women’s participation in commerce is not only a matter of equality, but also essential for national economic competitiveness.”

Persistent Challenges Facing Female Entrepreneurs

Chan Pheary, President of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association, echoed these concerns, stressing that although the number of women-led businesses is rising, structural and operational obstacles still limit their growth. Many women struggle to move beyond small scale operations, penetrate export markets or navigate complex regulatory processes. “Cambodian women are resilient and innovative, but they often operate with fewer resources and face more risks,” Pheary said. “Support mechanisms such as mentorship, training and inclusive financing are vital to help women entrepreneurs move from survival businesses to growth-driven enterprises.” Her remarks reinforced the need for sustained institutional support to ensure female entrepreneurs can transition into competitive business leaders both locally and regionally.

Growing Importance of Digital Skills and Financial Literacy

Speakers from development organisations and financial institutions further highlighted the role of digital transformation and financial literacy in helping women succeed in commerce. They shared ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting capability among women led MSMEs, including specialised credit schemes, skills development programmes and regional networking platforms. These efforts are designed to bridge gaps that hinder women from accessing modern tools, expanding into new markets and strengthening their businesses in an increasingly technology driven economy.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders

The forum also offered a series of panel discussions and experience sharing sessions featuring women who lead across diverse sectors. Their stories aimed to motivate younger women to pursue entrepreneurship and step confidently into leadership roles. Organisers underscored that the event is part of the Ministry of Commerce’s wider agenda to integrate gender equality into trade policies and create a more inclusive and supportive commercial environment for all.

CTExpo 2025 Opens Opportunities for Business Engagement

Taking place at the PH Grand Hall at Borey Peng Huoth Boeng Snor in Phnom Penh, CTExpo 2025 runs from December 4 to 7 and is open to the public at no cost. Visitors are encouraged to explore a wide variety of products and services from both local and international exhibitors. Alongside the displays, thematic forums continue to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and Cambodia’s expanding trade potential, making the expo an essential platform for businesses, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs.