Cambodia Takes Bakong Global, Connecting ASEAN with Japan and Africa

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambodia is taking its national digital payment system, Bakong, onto the global stage, unveiling initiatives spanning international card payments, stablecoin and bond tokenisation pilots with Japan, and a remittance corridor with Rwanda.

The announcements were made at the inaugural Black Swan Summit Cambodia, co-hosted by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), in collaboration with three Cambodian ministries: the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Held alongside the Sommet de la Francophonie, the two-day summit has attracted over 5,000 registered participants from 60 countries, including policymakers, central bankers, investors and technology leaders, to advance financial connectivity between ASEAN, Africa and other international markets.

From National Payment System to Global Network

Cambodia has built a digital payments infrastructure that has transformed domestic financial access. It is now extending that infrastructure internationally through three initiatives:

Bakong to the World: Bakong users will be able to create Visa or Mastercard virtual cards through the app, enabling contactless payments overseas.

Japan–Cambodia stablecoin remittances: NBC and SBI Group will explore stablecoin-based cross-border transfers, with funds received through Bakong wallets.

Government bond tokenisation: NBC and SBI Bank will pilot the tokenisation of Cambodian government bonds on the Canton Network, exploring new approaches to trading and settlement.

Bakong has also contributed to the growing use of Cambodia's national currency. The riel's share of transactions on the platform increased from 17% in 2020 to 58% in 2025.

A Model for Emerging Economies

Cambodia's financial transformation is rooted in an extraordinary history. Following the destruction of its banking system and the abolition of its currency between 1975 and 1979, the riel was reintroduced on 20 March 1980.

Rather than replicate conventional financial infrastructure, Cambodia has built a digital-first payments ecosystem. Today, Bakong connects approximately 38 million accounts in a country of 17 million people. In 2025, it processed 1.3 billion transactions worth US$241.84 billion, equivalent to approximately 4.5 times Cambodia's GDP.

For emerging economies seeking to expand financial inclusion, strengthen domestic currencies and connect to global markets, Cambodia offers an example of how public digital infrastructure can accelerate financial development.

Bridging ASEAN and the Francophone World

The summit also marks a step towards connecting Southeast Asia with Francophone economies, particularly in Africa.

Two initiatives signal this ambition:

Cambodia–Rwanda remittance corridor: The National Bank of Cambodia and the National Bank of Rwanda are working to connect Bakong with Rwanda's RSwitch payment infrastructure, initially facilitating remittances from Cambodia to Rwanda.

Francophone Africa payment connectivity: H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, underscored the shared vision of exploring cross-border payment connectivity with Francophone African payment systems, with potential initial use cases focusing on remittances and small-value trade.

These initiatives advance South–South cooperation, demonstrating how emerging economies can collaborate directly on interoperable financial infrastructure without relying exclusively on traditional international payment networks.

The summit continues on 16 November, with discussions on economic corridors, payment interoperability, financial resilience and regulatory cooperation.

Leadership Perspectives

H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, said: "Cambodia knows what it means to lose a financial system and rebuild trust in money. Bakong has expanded access and the use of the riel. Now we are connecting it to the world. Sovereignty and openness are not opposites. Inclusion must be measured not just by whether people can pay, but by whether they can withstand shocks."

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), said: "Cambodia shows that emerging economies can build financial infrastructure around their own needs rather than inherit systems designed elsewhere. The next challenge is connecting these platforms internationally. From African payment links to Japanese fintech pilots, Black Swan Summit Cambodia demonstrates how emerging markets can open new channels for trade, investment and financial inclusion."

For more information: www.cambodia.blackswansummit.com

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Cambodia Takes Bakong Global, Connecting ASEAN with Japan and Africa

SHANGHAI, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 Global Chinese Insurance Agency 500 (CIA500) Leaders Summit and CIA500 Certification Ceremony grandly convened in Shanghai, China's international financial hub, from November 13 to 15. The event brought together senior executives from more than 40 insurers and financial institutions across multiple countries and regions, along with industry experts, scholars and outstanding team leaders, to explore breakthrough strategies for life insurance team building amid a shifting industry landscape.

Under the theme "Continuous Success Begins With Great Strategic Planning," the summit aimed to guide team leaders to break free from entrenched mindsets, anticipate major trends with a holistic perspective, and build lasting influence for their teams. Over the three days, the event featured 13 trend reports, keynote addresses, forums and exchange sessions, covering key topics such as enhancing agent performance, the positive impact of CIA500 on teams, and transformation strategies in the AI era—equipping participating team leaders with new perspectives and approaches to team development.

Elites Converge: 220 Team Leaders Honored with CIA500's Highest Accolade

On the evening of November 14, the summit reached its most anticipated moment: the 2026 CIA500 Certification Ceremony. Globally, the criteria for the CIA500 honor are among the most stringent. As industry transformation converges with the rapid adoption of AI, teams that meet the CIA500 standard are genuinely operating at the world's top tier.

In 2026, a total of 220 team leaders worldwide earned CIA500 honors, winning a combined total of 249 awards. Among them, 209 earned the Laurel Crown Award, 40 the Imperial Crown Award and 29 the Dual Crown Award. Notably, 16 team leaders achieved the remarkable feat of earning CIA500 recognition for 10 consecutive years.

At the ceremony, these team leaders from around the world took to a glittering stage to receive applause and congratulations from the audience. They were not merely honorees but benchmarks of excellence for life insurance teams worldwide—leading and inspiring more teams toward high-quality development.

Fifth CIA500 World Academy Launches, Building an Open Mentorship Platform

In 2019, the CIA500 Summit launched the CIA500 World Academy. It is a mentorship-based exchange platform for team leaders, with CIA500 Imperial Crown and Laurel Crown members serving as mentors. Mentees can select their preferred mentors within a designated period and, over the ensuing year, consult them online about challenges in team development.

On the evening of November 13, the fifth CIA500 World Academy was formally launched, with mentees eagerly selecting their preferred team-development mentors. To facilitate smooth mentor–mentee interaction, the summit hosted a dedicated "CIA500 World Academy Exchange Gala Dinner" on November 14, an occasion marked by lively exchange.

A Decade of Shared Progress, Forging Ahead with Renewed Momentum

Since its official launch in Hangzhou in 2016, the CIA500 Summit has navigated a decade-long journey. Over the past decade, it has remained true to its guiding principle of "Expand, Elevate, and Cultivate Niche Excellence" and committed to its mission of "We Glorify, Develop, and Excel Together." Its footprint now spans Hangzhou, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Macao, Xiamen, Bangkok and beyond. Over the same period, the summit has stood by countless teams through downturns and offered clear guidance to outstanding teams pursuing breakthroughs and transformation.

Looking ahead, the CIA500 Summit will continue to uphold its mission, convening its 2027 edition in Penang, Malaysia, from November 12 to 14. We look forward to gathering again next year as we embark on a new chapter.

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"Continuous Success Begins With Great Strategic Planning": 2026 Global Chinese Insurance Agency 500 (CIA500) Leaders Summit and Certification Ceremony Convenes in Shanghai