250 Million Indonesians are Now Active Internet Users
The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has stated that Indonesia possesses a vast digital market, with more than 250 million internet users—approximately 81.7% of the population. Consequently, there is a pressing need to strengthen the national application industry to accelerate digital economic transformation.
Speaking in Tangerang on Monday, the Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of Komdiglar, Boni Pudjianto, noted that applications are no longer merely tools but have become spaces for various societal activities, ranging from transactions and creativity to public services, learning, entertainment, and daily economic activities.
National digital transformation, he said, cannot be built through a single application or technology alone, but requires a strong and interconnected digital ecosystem. In this context, Komdigi refers to the ‘Indonesia Digital Vision 2045’, which rests on three main pillars: a modern and responsive digital government, an innovative digital economy, and an adaptive digital society.
Therefore, Komdigi emphasises that technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and quantum computing must be translated into products, services, and solutions that provide tangible benefits to both the public and the business world.
Indonesia, he continued, possesses a massive digital market base. “This is not just a connectivity figure. This is a massive market base, a base for creativity, and a base for innovation. Strengthening the national application industry must be viewed as a vital part of the national economic transformation,” Boni stated during the Indonesia Apps Summit 2026 at ICE BSD, Tangerang.
Komdigi also noted that the government projects Indonesia’s digital economy value to exceed US$130 billion by 2026. At this scale, Indonesia is poised to become the largest digital economy in the ASEAN region. To boost the national application industry, Komdigi believes ecosystem development should not be limited solely to application companies.
The growth of the application industry is also expected to open markets for creators, increase the monetisation of intellectual property, create high-value jobs, and expand digital business opportunities.
Komdigi identified at least four aspects that require strengthening: talent and developers, access to technology and infrastructure, access to markets and financing, and governance that ensures security, trust, and intellectual property protection. “The ultimate goal is not merely to build applications, but to achieve the strength of local application independence,” he said.
Furthermore, Komdigi emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government, industry, academia, investors, and Asia-Pacific regional partners in developing the national application ecosystem. The government plays a role in policy formulation, public infrastructure development, interoperability, and ensuring industry governance. Meanwhile, the industry is expected to provide use cases, technological investment, and market insight, while academia plays a role in strengthening research, innovation, and talent development.
Collaboration with Asia-Pacific regional partners is also considered vital for expanding standards, investment networks, and digital economy market access. In a regional context, Komdigi views ASEAN’s development as a significant opportunity for Indonesian application industry players.
“Komdigi notes that ASEAN is set to conclude negotiations for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by 2026, which has the potential to drive the ASEAN digital economy to US$2 trillion by 2030,” he said.
The national digital economic value has reached US$360 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 15%.