Cambodia 2024 E-commerce Report: Exploring Key Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Profitence, a corporate finance firm based in Cambodia, recently launched their latest report on "E-commerce in Cambodia 2024." This study unveiled key insights and trends shaping Cambodia’s booming e-commerce landscape. The launch event for the report was held on February 24, 2025, at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal.
Following its 2023 study, the launch ceremony was welcomed by H.E. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce (MOC), and opened with remarks by Subhadeep Chowdhury, Founder and Director of Profitence. The event concluded with a panel discussion exploring the future of e-commerce in Cambodia.
H.E. Cham Nimul stated that this report not only outlined the current state of e-commerce in Cambodia but also offered valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing this sector in the country.
“Our e-commerce sector exemplifies the resilience and ingenuity of our people, with revenue, as you shared in the report, expected to reach USD 1.1 billion by the end of this year, and projected to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2029,” Nimul said.
The Minister added that “these figures are more than just economic indicators. They reflect the vibrancy of a sector that touches every corner of our society, from rural farmers selling their products online to small businesses accessing global markets. E-commerce is reshaping the way we work, trade, and live; it has become a vital lifeline for many, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
Nimul added that the Ministry of Commerce is actively working to establish the Cambodia E-commerce Trustmark Scheme (CETS) and a code of conduct to enhance consumer trust, improve business practices, and strengthen the regulatory framework of e-commerce in Cambodia. Cambodia launched its E-Commerce Strategy in 2020.
Cambodia’s E-Commerce Report 2024
Speaking with B2B Cambodia, Shane Gladwin, Senior Policy & Research Analyst at Profitence, noted that this year’s e-commerce report differs from the one released in 2023. The new report includes a broader scope, encompassing all five regions of Cambodia, from the plateaus to the coastal areas.
Additionally, the report expanded from 10 to 12 sectors, covering Consumer Electronics, which leads e-commerce sales, and Telecommunications, the backbone enabling e-commerce growth in the country, said Shane.
At the event, he highlighted that while Cambodia has significant potential for e-commerce growth, its current contribution to GDP is only 4 to 5 percent. This is substantially lower than in neighboring ASEAN countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where e-commerce accounts for up to 25 per cent of GDP.
Consumer Behaviour Shifts
Gladwin shared insights from the report, which found that consumers are shifting their priorities to the quality of products and services over other factors. “We are noticing that consumers nowadays tend to shift away from focusing solely on discounts. In certain industries, aspects such as the quality of service are becoming increasingly important,” he said.
He emphasised, “although in some industries like food delivery, [it is] still about discounts and free delivery, in other industries like logistics, people are starting to care more about the quality of services provided, for example on proper storage, handling and delivery of packages as well as better customer service.”
Social Commerce Remains Prevalent in Cambodia
Based on their survey, most consumers shop online once a month, spending USD 11–50 per month. Promotions, convenience, and low prices drive purchases, while fraud, product quality, and delivery fees remain primary concerns.
Informal e-commerce platforms like in the social media sector remains the dominant purchasing channel, followed by formal online shopping platforms such as Foodpanda, Wownow, and Nham24. The most purchased items online are fashion and apparel, beauty and cosmetics, and food.
“Facebook and TikTok have reshaped Cambodia’s sales and advertising landscape, empowering businesses and driving online commerce for both big corporations and local SMEs. However, regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure consumer protection and payment security for building trust and sustainable growth,” the report stated.
Gladwin added that social commerce, or informal e-commerce, remains prevalent in the country, reflecting the local way of life. However, formalisation can benefit this sector in the long term, he said.
“Getting them to formalise is going to take a lot of effort, not only from the public sector, but also from the private sector, to convince and educate merchants about exploring formal E-commerce channels - which will be important if we want to sustain growth. But this also begs the very important question, how do we effectively incentivize a social commerce merchants to formalise their business?” he said.
Opportunities and Challenges in Cambodia’s E-Commerce
According to the report, rapid digital payment adoption, a tech-savvy youth population, rising smartphone penetration, and strong government support are accelerating Cambodia’s e-commerce expansion.
While challenges remain, such as insufficient logistics, underdeveloped digital infrastructure, and low digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, these factors restrict market access, reduce operational efficiency, and slow e-commerce adoption in Cambodia.
However, there are growing opportunities for Cambodia’s e-commerce sector, which is set for growth through global market expansion, increasing domestic demand, cross-border trade, foreign investment, and advancements in digital infrastructure and payment systems.
At the regional level, with ASEAN’s e-commerce market projected to grow by USD 216 billion in 2025, Cambodia must enhance trade facilitation, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to remain competitive and achieve seamless regional and global integration.