MWX Insights Session: 10 Predictions for 2026

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is reaching a point where timing and sequencing matter as much as direction.

Growth opportunities remain, but the margin for error is narrowing. Platforms are maturing, competition is intensifying, and technology - particularly AI - is beginning to reshape execution fundamentals. In this environment, the critical question for leadership teams is no longer what could happen, but what needs to be acted on now, and what can wait.

10 Predictions for 2026 is an executive briefing by Momentum Works that distills the most consequential shifts shaping Southeast Asia’s digital landscape - and translates them into clear implications for leadership teams preparing for 2026 and beyond.

Used in MWX Insights Session 2, this deck is not a collection of speculative forecasts. Each prediction is grounded in observed operating changes across platforms, brands, technology stacks, and supply chains, helping leaders separate structural change from short-term noise.

Rather than asking “what might happen?”, the briefing focuses on a more practical question:

What should leaders prioritise now - and what can be staged over time?

What’s covered in the 2026 predictions:

• How ecommerce and digital platforms are moving into their next phase of development
• The evolution of new retail and consumer brand models across Southeast Asia
• How AI and technology-driven innovation are reshaping execution, not just strategy

Each prediction is framed to support decision-making, with clear implications for investment, organisation design, and competitive positioning.

This deck is designed for decision-makers including:

• Executives and leadership teams shaping medium-term strategy
• Founders and senior operators in retail, ecommerce, logistics, and consumer sectors
• Regional and global teams navigating Southeast Asia’s fast-evolving markets
• Investors and policymakers assessing risks and opportunities beyond short-term cycles

How leaders use this briefing:

• To identify which trends represent genuine structural shifts
• To pressure-test strategic priorities against 2026 realities
• To align leadership teams around timing, focus, and risk management
• To distinguish actions that require immediate commitment from those that can be sequenced

10 Predictions for 2026 is the second session in the MWX Insights Series — a set of concise, high-signal executive briefings designed to give leaders a clear, structured view of where Southeast Asia’s digital economy is heading.

Each session stands on its own, while also contributing to a broader strategic narrative for leaders building the next phase of growth in Asia.