Singapore is sharpening its focus on digital transformation. With the refreshed Smart Nation 2.0 vision and the measures introduced in Budget 2025, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has unveiled a set of priorities that position businesses to benefit from national digitalisation efforts.
At the Committee of Supply (COS) 2025 debates, MDDI laid out its strategy to strengthen digital trust, improve business access to AI and digital tools, enhance digital infrastructure, and upskill the workforce. These plans signal tangible opportunities for business owners to modernise operations, build resilience, and stay competitive.
This article outlines the key MDDI initiatives relevant to SMEs, startups, and business leaders operating in or expanding to Singapore.
The refreshed Smart Nation 2.0 vision, launched in 2024, builds upon Singapore’s decade-long digital transformation journey. It sharpens the country’s focus on three pillars: Trust, Growth, and Community. These priorities reflect Singapore’s strategic direction in harnessing technology to boost economic opportunities while ensuring digital inclusivity.
Trust remains the foundation of Singapore’s digital strategy. The government is committed to strengthening cybersecurity, safeguarding personal data, and ensuring online safety. Initiatives such as the Digital Infrastructure Act (DIA) and the Online Safety Commission bolster digital trust by protecting critical digital systems and mitigating online harms. Through these efforts, individuals and businesses can confidently engage in the digital economy without concerns over data security or misinformation.
Smart Nation 2.0 prioritizes economic growth through digital and AI-driven innovation. Key programs like the National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0 and the Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) aim to equip businesses with advanced technological tools to remain competitive globally. By enabling enterprises to integrate generative AI and cloud computing into their operations, Singapore is positioning itself as a resilient, high-tech economy ready for the future.
Technology should unify society rather than create digital divides. Recognizing this, Smart Nation 2.0 places strong emphasis on digital inclusivity. A key initiative is the Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework, which provides training on generative AI and other emerging technologies to citizens of all skill levels. Furthermore, the government is enhancing Digital Service Standards (DSS) to ensure accessibility, particularly for persons with disabilities. These measures reinforce Singapore’s vision of a digitally cohesive society where all individuals, regardless of background, can benefit from technological progress.
Smart Nation 2.0 reflects Singapore’s persistent ambition to drive innovation while upholding principles of trust and inclusivity. As these initiatives take shape, businesses and individuals alike can look forward to a digital future that is secure, dynamic, and inclusive.
MDDI reaffirmed its commitment to helping enterprises adopt artificial intelligence (AI) through a suite of programmes under the National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0. Among the highlights shared in the speech of Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Mr. Tan Kiat How's speech are:
Whether you're exploring AI for marketing automation, customer service, or data insights, these initiatives provide a pathway to adoption with structured guidance and funding support.
SMEs Go Digital continues to serve as a key framework for digital adoption. Since 2017, it has supported around 100,000 SMEs, with a marked increase in adoption since 2020. In COS 2025, several enhancements were announced:
These measures aim to reduce cost barriers, ensure security by design, and provide clarity on what digital tools are most relevant per industry.
In a digital-first economy, trust and security are foundational. MDDI highlighted several regulatory and programme updates designed to help businesses strengthen their digital defences:
Cyber risk is a rising concern across sectors. These support schemes help businesses maintain operational continuity while building trust with customers, partners, and regulators.
To support long-term digitalisation, the Singapore government is placing emphasis on workforce enablement. The goal: a nation of AI-literate and digitally confident workers.
Key initiatives for employers include:
Employers are encouraged to upskill their workforce in tandem with tech adoption, ensuring talent readiness keeps pace with digital transformation efforts.
While the initiatives are broad-based, several sectors stand to gain directly:
The COS 2025 announcements reflect a broader shift: digital transformation is now integral to business competitiveness, not just operational improvement.
For SMEs, startups, and foreign firms expanding into Singapore, this is a strong signal that public infrastructure, funding support, and regulatory frameworks are aligned to enable digital growth.
Businesses should:
Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 vision is not just a government aspiration – it’s a blueprint for how businesses can modernise, compete, and thrive in a digital-first economy. By aligning with national efforts in AI, cybersecurity, and workforce development, businesses can unlock new efficiencies, build trust, and stay resilient amid change.
Looking to future-proof your business in Singapore? ATHR Corporate Services can help. From digital-ready incorporation packages to outsourced accounting and company secretary services, we support your compliance and transformation goals at every step. Reach out to our team today to discover how we can help you fully leverage the opportunities measures introduced in Budget 2025 and outlined in MDDI's Committee of Supply (COS) 2025 priorities.
