Digital Empowerment and The Landscape of Technopreneurship in Sarawak: A Descriptive Study of Government Initiatives for Women Entrepreneurs

This paper offers a descriptive and narrative account of the technopreneurship landscape in Sarawak, Malaysia, with particular attention to the state government's efforts to equip women entrepreneurs with digital skills. Anchored in the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 and the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, the state has pursued a multi-agency approach involving the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (TEGAS), the Centre of Technical Excellence (CENTEXS), and a constellation of federal agencies, civil-society networks and international partners. Using a qualitative document-analysis methodology that synthesises government reports, policy blueprints, agency communications, news coverage and peer-reviewed literature, the paper traces the programmes launched, the delivery mechanisms used, and the documented responses of women entrepreneurs themselves. Findings suggest that structured programmes such as PERANTIS-PENDAYA, SME Digitise!, Kamek Digital, GoDigital Sarawak and DANAnita have produced measurable participation gains and largely positive testimonial feedback, particularly around social-media marketing, e-commerce onboarding and financial record-keeping. At the same time, persistent barriers around rural connectivity, digital confidence, market access and financing continue to temper the pace of digital transformation among rural and indigenous women entrepreneurs. The paper concludes with recommendations for deepening coordination among agencies, extending infrastructure to underserved districts, and embedding longitudinal monitoring of women-focused technopreneurship outcomes.

technopreneurship, digital economy, women entrepreneurs, Sarawak, digital skills, SDEC, PERANTIS-PENDAYA

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