July 2, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei Darussalam must move beyond building digital infrastructure to creating seamless digital experiences that make everyday life easier for citizens and businesses, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohammed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos said on Wednesday.
Delivering the opening keynote at the Brunei Digital Economy Forum 2026 at the Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, the minister said while the country has established strong digital foundations, including nationwide connectivity, digital payment infrastructure, digital identity systems and supportive policies, the next phase of transformation must focus on practical implementation.
“Connectivity and digital infrastructure do not make for a Smart Nation. Our digital interactions are not yet seamless enough,” he said.
“Our priority must shift – from building systems to delivering real outcomes, and from strategy to implementation.”
The minister said the recently launched Digital Brunei 2030 masterplan marks the next phase of the nation’s digital journey by bringing together government, society, business, and data and artificial intelligence (AI) under a single national direction in support of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
He stressed that achieving the vision of “Together Towards a Digital Brunei” requires close collaboration between the government and private sector.
“It means a digital economy that businesses help build, not one handed down,” he said, adding that government can provide direction and enabling infrastructure, but innovation, adoption and the delivery of digital services must be driven by industry.
The minister called on businesses to develop seamless, citizen-centric digital solutions, champion trusted digital payment systems, invest in AI, cybersecurity and digital skills, support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting e-commerce, and work with the government to simplify processes and integrate digital systems.
He also underscored the importance of strengthening trust in the digital ecosystem through the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Order.
The minister said the success of Digital Brunei 2030 would ultimately be measured not by plans, but by tangible improvements to people’s daily lives.
“Digital transformation must ultimately answer a simple question: does it make life easier?” he said.
He identified three priorities to guide implementation: practical solutions that deliver measurable impact, continuous adaptation based on what works, and clear ownership by every organisation involved.
Concluding his address, the minister said no single institution could deliver the country’s digital transformation alone.
“Government will create the environment. Industry must innovate. Academia must inspire. Communities must adopt. Together, we can move Brunei from being connected to being truly seamless.”
The Brunei Digital Economy Forum 2026 was attended by more than 200 policymakers, business leaders, academics, industry representatives and international experts.
Organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Brunei Darussalam and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Brunei Darussalam under the Brunei Economy Programme, the forum carried the theme “Digital Brunei in Action: From Strategy to Implementation.”
The Forum commenced with welcome remarks by Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei Darussalam and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Brunei Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to accelerate Brunei Darussalam’s digital transformation and foster sustainable economic growth.
The event focused on translating the ambitions of Digital Brunei 2030 into practical outcomes for businesses, government and society.
The forum featured presentations by Australia’s Business Champion for Brunei Lisa Rogers on developing Brunei’s digital and AI talent pipeline, and Dr Brian Wong from the University of Hong Kong, who spoke on AI, geopolitics and technology governance for small economies.
A panel discussion titled “Building Brunei’s Digital Advantage: Trust, Talent and Digital Commerce” explored how trust, digital skills and commercial innovation can strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
Participants also attended two breakout sessions covering digital payment adoption for MSMEs and practical implementation of the Personal Data Protection Order, providing businesses with guidance on digital transformation and regulatory compliance.
Throughout the forum, speakers highlighted the need to strengthen digital capabilities, encourage responsible AI adoption, expand digital commerce, enhance cybersecurity and deepen public-private collaboration to realise the goals of Digital Brunei 2030.