13 November 2025 — Makati Shangri‑La, Makati, Philippines
The Digital Nation Summit Manila 2025 convened government leaders, regulators, industry representatives, and digital ecosystem partners in Makati to explore how the Philippines can advance toward a secure, inclusive, and future‑ready digital economy. Organized by GSMA Asia Pacific, the one‑day forum focused on strengthening digital trust, expanding infrastructure, and modernizing governance to support the country’s digital transformation journey.
The summit was anchored by the launch of the GSMA Asia Pacific Digital Nations Report 2025, which revealed that the Philippines ranked seventh out of 21 Asia‑Pacific markets in the GSMA Intelligence Digital Nations Index. This ranking placed the country in the “leading” tier, reflecting progress across key pillars of digital development — including infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security, and people — while also highlighting gaps in usage and investment needs.
Julian Gorman, Head of Asia‑Pacific at GSMA, delivered opening remarks that contextualized the report’s findings within the broader national digital strategy. He underscored the importance of continued investment in core digital infrastructure such as 5G, fiber networks, cloud platforms, and cyber‑security to sustain growth and bridge persistent gaps, particularly for underserved communities.
Summit discussions reflected thematic priorities mirrored in the GSMA report: the need for strategic investment to expand connectivity; the role of trust frameworks, robust data governance, and cyber‑security in enabling secure digital adoption; and the imperative to unlock inclusive growth through skills development, fintech innovation, and collaborative ecosystem partnerships. These dialogues featured insights from technology organizations, telecom operators, and ecosystem stakeholders on real‑world approaches to implementation and governance.
Sessions at the event explored how secure and interoperable digital payment systems and open API standards can support broader inclusion and innovation, and how digital transformation frameworks — including those related to AI and ethical governance practices — are being applied by local technology players. Leaders from major telcos and tech firms shared perspectives on strengthening trust and security at scale as digital adoption grows across sectors and communities. ([turn0search4][turn0search7][turn0search13])
The summit also coincided with related forums such as the APAC Fintech roundtable, where secure payment ecosystems and inclusive finance were discussed as part of the broader theme of digital nation building, reinforcing the interplay between technology, regulation, and economic opportunity.
By spotlighting both progress and persistent challenges, the Digital Nation Summit Manila 2025 provided attendees with grounded, evidence‑based insights on how the Philippines can deepen its digital transformation and expand opportunities for citizens, businesses, and institutions alike.
#DigitalNation2025 #GSMA #DigitalTrust #CyberSecurity #Cloud #DigitalInfrastructure #KakaComputer
