Cambodia’s e-commerce sector is no longer a future promise—it’s a present-day force. With projections setting the market to exceed $1.78 billion by the end of 2025, according to the iTrade Bulletin (March 2025) from the Ministry of Commerce, the Kingdom is undergoing one of its most transformative digital revolutions. For business owners, digital entrepreneurs, and aspiring e-commerce founders, Cambodia’s trajectory signals a unique and profitable frontier in Southeast Asia’s expanding digital economy.
The Digital Surge Behind the Boom
At the heart of Cambodia’s e-commerce explosion lies a fusion of mobile connectivity, social commerce, and the widespread adoption of digital payments. Mobile and internet subscriptions reached 21.9 million in 2024, covering a significant portion of the population, according to the iTrade Bulletin. This connectivity has become the backbone of Cambodia’s online economy, empowering consumers to shop with unprecedented convenience and frequency.
Crucially, digital transactions have overtaken traditional cash-based methods. QR code payments now account for 47.15% of all transactions, followed by cash (26.5%), mobile money transfers (13.3%), and other digital methods (13.05%). Dominating this fintech revolution is ABA Bank, which holds a 46.89% market share, followed by ACLEDA Bank (30.9%) and Wing Bank (17.02%). These financial players are not just enabling purchases—they’re setting the pace for Cambodia’s digital economy.
The Social Commerce Wave
Cambodian consumers are deeply influenced by social media, with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Khmer24, and Taobao shaping purchasing behavior. In 2024, Cambodia recorded 11.65 million Facebook users and 9.96 million TikTok users—a staggering digital footprint for a nation of around 17 million people.
These platforms aren’t just tools for connection—they’re vibrant marketplaces. Fashion, cosmetics, and food products dominate the virtual shopping carts, with the average customer spending between $11 and $50 per transaction at least once per month. The visual and interactive nature of TikTok and Facebook has made them central to product discovery, reviews, and trust-building in the absence of large-scale local marketplaces like Lazada or Shopee.
E-Commerce’s Impact on GDP and Regional Influence
In financial terms, e-commerce contributed $1.51 billion, or 6.68% of Cambodia’s GDP in 2024, highlighting its critical role in national economic development (source: iTrade Bulletin, March 2025). While Cambodia represents 1.3% of the ASEAN e-commerce market—projected to grow from $116.36 billion in 2024 to $137.24 billion in 2025—this share is steadily climbing, illustrating Cambodia’s increasing integration into Southeast Asia’s digital trade ecosystem.
Logistics and Infrastructure: The Road Ahead
However, the journey isn’t without hurdles. The E-commerce 2024 Report identifies several key challenges that continue to impact consumer confidence and operational efficiency: product fraud, inconsistent quality, high delivery fees, and delays. Logistics bottlenecks remain a serious concern, especially for rural deliveries, exacerbated by limited warehousing space, poor digital infrastructure, and high transportation costs.
Despite these barriers, innovation is closing the gap. A wave of investments in digital tracking, third-party logistics (3PL), and smarter warehousing solutions are beginning to ease pressure on supply chains. Companies such as Vireak Buntham are leading the charge by offering faster delivery times and wider service coverage, including in-town delivery under an hour and cross-province shipping within two days, reflecting evolving consumer expectations.
Governmental Reforms Pave the Way
The Cambodian government is not sitting idly by. In response to the sector’s growing economic impact, policymakers have implemented robust legal and administrative frameworks to support e-commerce players. Among these are:
- A national e-commerce law providing legal clarity for online transactions
- Trust mark systems to verify and build consumer trust in e-commerce vendors
- Streamlined VAT registration for digital businesses
- Digital literacy programs to empower entrepreneurs and consumers
- Roadmaps for digital governance and private sector engagement
These reforms signal that the government sees e-commerce as a pillar of Cambodia’s future economy—not a passing trend.
Rising Demand for Smart Devices and Electronics
The country’s love for online shopping is also fueling demand for tech hardware. According to Ministry of Commerce data, imports of electrical and electronic equipment reached $1.951 billion in 2024, marking a 23.7% year-on-year increase. Mobile phones alone accounted for $604.6 million, a figure driven by the need for better devices to participate in the digital economy—whether for social media, digital banking, or e-commerce selling.
This hardware boom represents a golden opportunity for importers, tech retailers, and digital services providers who want to tap into a tech-savvy and hungry consumer base.
The Rural Opportunity
While urban Cambodia—especially Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville—dominates e-commerce activity, rural regions remain largely untapped. The E-commerce 2024 Report notes that limited digital skills and inadequate infrastructure hinder online business expansion in provinces. However, this gap also represents one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Entrepreneurs and service providers who invest in last-mile logistics, regional fulfillment centers, and rural digital education will find themselves ahead of the curve.
What This Means for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs?
For local and foreign investors, the message is clear: Cambodia is ripe for e-commerce innovation. Whether you are running a digital storefront, managing logistics, providing payment solutions, or importing tech devices, the ecosystem is maturing fast.
The following areas offer the most promising business potential:
- Third-party logistics (3PL) with fast and reliable last-mile delivery
- Social commerce solutions for sellers using Facebook Live and TikTok
- E-commerce platforms and marketplaces tailored to Cambodian needs
- Digital marketing agencies that specialize in Khmer-language content
- Payment gateways and fintech apps that support mobile transactions
- Warehouse and fulfillment center development, particularly outside Phnom Penh
- Import and retail of smartphones and digital tools
Cambodia’s Digital Decade Has Begun
With a fast-growing digital population, a supportive government, and a hunger for online goods and services, Cambodia is entering a golden age of e-commerce. The projected $1.78 billion in revenue by 2025, the surge in mobile-driven transactions, and the country’s increasing integration into ASEAN’s digital economy make it an attractive destination for e-commerce investment.
But the road to success requires more than just a Facebook page or a product listing. Businesses must embrace reliability, digital literacy, fast logistics, and consumer trust as core pillars. As the infrastructure improves and digital tools become more accessible, those who adapt early will reap the biggest rewards.
Sources:
- iTrade Bulletin, March 2025 – Ministry of Commerce
- E-commerce 2024 Report – General Department of Taxation (GDT)
- Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications – 2024 telecom data
- ASEAN e-commerce market data – ASEANStats 2024