Cambodia has long been aiming to cultivate a tech-savvy, future-ready generation of young talents that can lead the way. As the country continues to work towards the objectives of its Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, the government and private sector, together with non-profit organizations, are working together to create a digitally skilled workforce fit for the future.
These targeted collaborations have yielded diverse educational and training opportunities for Cambodia’s youth, creating partnerships that are crucial to Cambodia’s ambition to build a digitally enabled economy and develop long-term value.
The various initiatives and programs are all pieces of the puzzle to achieving Cambodia’s digital transformation. By focusing on empowering young Cambodians with the skills they need, the Kingdom is laying the groundwork to take advantage of an increasingly technology-driven world.
Partnerships key to growth
In the banking sector, major institutions are promoting financial literacy and digital skills, key to an inclusive digital society and economy. Wing Bank, for instance, has supported several initiatives to promote innovation in Cambodia, including its Digital SME Accelerator Program, and in October 2024, the bank partnered with the Kot Luy to launch the “Youth & Money” initiative, aiming to equip over 5,000 students from TVET institutions and universities with essential financial knowledge for the digital economy.
Woori Bank Cambodia, meanwhile, has been working with ChildFund Cambodia to train some 24,000 children in computer skills and improve their knowledge of online safety. ABA Bank is another key player driving financial education, supporting communities through its Financial Literacy Program and recently donating computers and uninterruptible power supply systems to Neeson Cripps Academy and the Cambodian Children’s Fund to further their efforts.
Telecommunications giant Smart Axiata has also been working with a number of partners to nurture digital talents. Their SmartSpark+ Incubation Program, run together with Impact Hub Phnom Penh, provides a platform for early-stage businesses that are making a positive impact through technology, and the telco’s collaboration with Tech for Kids Academy saw over 120 students learn how to use Micro:bit technology to create UNSDG-aligned solutions in 2023. Additionally, Smart has partnered with Children’s Future International to donate computers and provide coding training to students and teachers, while their collaboration with government ministries, TikTok, and Young SEAkers on their Digital Literacy Program is equipping high school students and teachers around the country essential digital skills.
The Cambodian government’s initiatives are equally crucial. In 2023, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications launched the Digital Skills Development Programme, which offers free online and in-person training to students and professionals. Additionally, the Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP), a joint initiative between several ministries and UNESCO, focuses on providing out-of-school youths with digital literacy and skills development opportunities.
Whether it’s driving digital financial literacy rates in the right direction or incubating promising startups, collaboratively organized programs are actively supporting the goal of building a society that can digitally thrive. These are just some of the meaningful partnerships that are ongoing between government, private companies, and organizations operating in Cambodia – and all are focused on social and economic development, as well as meeting the digital skills development goals of the Kingdom.
