Sri Lanka targets $ 5 billion in digital exports by 2030
The Morning: Sri Lanka is positioning its digital economy as a new engine of foreign-exchange earnings, with the Government targeting $ 5 billion in digital export revenue by 2030, as it seeks to become a regional hub for data centres and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne said on 1 October, according to a social media post.
Speaking at the inauguration of “Digital Summit Asia Sri Lanka 2026”, held in Colombo under the theme “The Epicentre”, Weeraratne said the Government of Sri Lanka is strategically focusing on transforming the country into a regional data center and AI innovation hub while driving toward an ambitious target of $ 5 billion in digital export revenue by 2030, according to the social media post.
According to the digital economy blueprint published by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), the push comes as Sri Lanka seeks to expand foreign-exchange earnings by developing higher-value digital and technology-based services, where Sri Lanka currently earns about $ 1.6 billion in foreign exchange from the digital industry.
Weeraratne said Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location and access to international submarine cable networks provided an opportunity to develop the country as a premier regional or global data hub. He also highlighted the transformative power of AI across public services and diverse industries, reiterating the national priority to establish the country as a center for AI-driven innovation.
Outlining the Government’s digital transformation agenda, Weeraratne pointed out five key focus areas including the digitalisation of public services, the expansion of the digital industry, the transition to a cashless economy, the enhancement of national digital skills, and the transformation of traditional industries through digital innovation.
He also noted that it is important to shift consumer behavior towards digital and QR payments as Sri Lanka moves towards a cashless economy, while digital marketing professionals play a pivotal role in educating both consumers and enterprises on the security, efficiency, and advantages of digital financial systems over cash-based transactions.
Weeraratne further added that a robust digital marketing framework and a strong global digital presence will enable Sri Lankan products and services to expand into international markets, strengthening the country’s digital export potential.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s drive to expand its digital economy is creating a growing range of business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses and investors, particularly as the country seeks to diversify foreign-exchange earnings through higher-value technology services. The Government’s target of generating $5 billion in digital export revenue by 2030, from around $1.6 billion currently, provides scope for investment across data centres, cloud computing, AI, software development, cybersecurity, fintech, digital payments and technology-enabled business services. Sri Lanka’s location and connectivity to international submarine cable networks also create opportunities to develop regional data and cloud infrastructure, while the expansion of AI adoption across government and traditional industries could generate demand for AI platforms, automation, analytics and specialised technology solutions. The country’s broader economic expansion is likely to further increase demand for digital infrastructure and services in tourism, banking, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and retail, creating business/investment opportunities for foreign technology companies to enter through direct investment, joint ventures, technology partnerships and service operations. Sri Lankan Government’s focus on digital public services, a cashless economy and national digital skills could also support investment in digital identity, payment infrastructure, e-government platforms, cybersecurity and technology training, positioning Sri Lanka as a potential base for companies seeking access to South Asian markets. With the digital sector increasingly viewed as both an export industry and an enabler of wider economic activity, the emerging investment opportunities extend beyond conventional IT services to the infrastructure, technology and innovation ecosystem underpinning Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261012Z_3 |