Sri Lanka aims to become regional digital financial hub: Deputy Minister
Daily Mirror: Sri Lanka aims to strengthen its digital financial ecosystem and position itself as an emerging digital financial hub by expanding digital payment infrastructure, cross-border transactions and international partnerships, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy said.
Sharing the Government’s vision for the digital economy at the exhibition day of the Sri Lanka FinTech Festival 2026, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka needed to align its financial ecosystem with global trends while creating opportunities to access regional markets.
Strengthening public-private sector partnerships would be essential to achieving this objective, the Deputy Minister said.
The festival brought together banks, financial institutions, technology companies and international partners to exchange knowledge, experiences and innovations in the financial technology sector.
The event was organised by FinTech Forum Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy, with sponsorship from Visa.
The discussions also focused on strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital payment infrastructure while expanding cross-border financial transactions and investment opportunities.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s accelerating digital transformation and ambition to emerge as a regional digital financial hub are creating expanding business and investment opportunities for foreign companies/investors across financial technology, digital services and related industries. With the Sri Lankan Government prioritising the development of the digital economy, the country is seeking to attract international investment, technology partnerships and expertise to modernise its financial infrastructure, expand digital connectivity and strengthen its position in regional markets. The financial technology sector presents business opportunities in digital payments, mobile banking, payment gateways, financial software, cybersecurity and cross-border transaction platforms. Efforts to expand digital payment infrastructure and connect Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem with international networks could create opportunities for foreign fintech companies, payment service providers and technology investors. Beyond financial services, Sri Lanka’s growing digital ambitions offer potential in software development, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centres, business process outsourcing, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. International technology companies could explore partnerships with local businesses, establish regional service operations and invest in technology-driven enterprises. The Sri Lankan Government’s target of developing the digital economy and increasing digital exports also provides opportunities for foreign investors to participate in skills development, technology transfer, innovation and startup financing. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are expected to play an important role in accelerating this transformation, particularly in developing digital infrastructure and introducing internationally competitive financial and technology services. For foreign investors, Sri Lanka offers the prospect of accessing an emerging technology market while using its skilled workforce, strategic location and established international business connections to serve wider regional markets.