PHNOM PENH — A significant push to digitize Cambodia’s business landscape is underway following the official launch of the Digital Adoption Initiative by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Techo Startup Center (“Techo”). The partnership aims to equip hundreds of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the digital tools and training needed to boost their competitiveness and productivity.
The initiative was formally kicked off with a two-day workshop on September 26-27, 2025, bringing together key government officials and development partners to solidify the roadmap for the sweeping digital transformation effort.
The program, set to run until 2028, will implement a phased approach, focusing on one priority industry sector each year. The initial target sector for digitization is tourism, according to an ADB press release.
This initiative aligns with the Cambodian government’s ambitious broader strategy, the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, which seeks to build a vibrant digital economy and society across the nation.
Jyotsana Varma, ADB Country Director for Cambodia, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative for the nation’s smaller businesses.
“The Digital Transformation Initiative will support MSMEs to integrate digital solutions into their daily operations, making them more competitive, resilient, and future-ready,” Varma said. “In close collaboration with the Techo New Business Incubator and industry associations, we aim to ensure that Cambodian enterprises can thrive in the digital economy.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Taing Nguonly, Executive Director of the Techo Startup Center, highlighted the practical benefits for local businesses and the economy at large.
“This initiative will provide Cambodian micro, small and medium enterprises with practical tools in the digital economy,” Dr. Nguonly stated. “By focusing on key sectors, we can direct resources to those parts of the economy where digital solutions will have a significant impact on competitiveness, job creation, and women’s entrepreneurship.”
The collaborative effort is poised to play a crucial role in modernizing Cambodia’s entrepreneurial backbone, preparing its MSMEs to effectively compete in an increasingly digital world.