How Singapore’s Tech Leaders Are Rewriting The Playbook—And Redefining Leadership In The Age Of AI

With rapid shifts driven by emerging technologies, the SG Digital Leadership Accelerator is nurturing the next wave of globally minded tech leaders shaping the nation’s digital future.

In today’s digital economy, leadership is no longer defined solely by business performance—it is measured by the ability to nurture talent, inspire innovation and build ecosystems that thrive beyond the walls of any single company.

Singapore is fast becoming a proving ground for the next generation of tech leaders. At the heart of this transformation is the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), whose SG Digital Leadership Accelerator (SGDLA) has scaled into a 1,500-strong community of leaders shaping the future.

For C-suites across industries, leadership development is no longer a luxury but a cornerstone of sustainable growth. As technology reshapes industries at breakneck speed, companies must invest not only in products and platforms but increasingly in their people. This philosophy is embodied in the leaders who see innovation not just as output, but as a measure of leadership itself.

A Different Kind Of Success Metric

This commitment extends beyond SAP’s walls. Saha has benefited as an SG Digital Leader awarded under IMDA’s SGDLA, which co-funds and co-develops future leaders in partnership with industry. Through the program, he pursued executive learning at Stanford University, spending six weeks in Palo Alto immersed in Silicon Valley’s startup culture. That experience, he says, reinforced the importance of global exposure and peer networks in shaping resilient leaders.

Beyond Training: Building An Ecosystem

Launched in 2022, the SGDLA is more than a policy initiative—it is a platform where leaders at every stage support one another. The community spans corporate executives, product innovators and startup founders, creating a diverse network that mirrors Singapore’s digital economy. Leaders gain access to mentorship, peer coaching and exclusive forums, where they exchange ideas and collaborate with one another.

For Saha, IMDA’s role as a catalyst has been pivotal: “The program gave me the opportunity to connect with peers across industries to understand their challenges, and to bring those learnings back into our organization. It’s really about building a reliable network you can turn to for advice.”

The Mentorship Multiplier

Saha’s journey with the program has come full circle—once a beneficiary, he now contributes as a mentor. One of his mentees, Ryann Goh, an undergraduate student at the National University of Singapore, eventually became an intern at SAP, demonstrating how these relationships translate into concrete opportunities.

Through the SGDLA community, Saha was introduced to Goh and interacted with him several times in the first six months to understand his career aspirations and development goals. Seeing that an internship at SAP could help accelerate Goh’s development goals, Saha offered him an internship with SAP’s Business AI team, where he had the chance to engage with leading AI engineers and data scientists at the organization. 

SAP Labs Singapore now hosts more than 25 interns from top engineering schools globally, including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. “We give them an opportunity to experience what innovation looks like in real life,” adds Saha. 

These initiatives reflect leadership development as a continuous cycle—today’s mentees become tomorrow’s mentors, ensuring innovation is not siloed but shared.

Leadership In The Age Of AI

As his teams develop technologies that help reshape enterprises worldwide, Saha reflects on what effective leadership means in this transformative era. “Future leaders must not only keep pace with technological advances but also foster a culture of experimentation and creativity,” he says. “Innovation provides security for long‑term success.”

Yet innovation alone is not enough, Saha notes. It must be guided by visionary, inclusive and ethical leaders—people who combine technical depth with cross-disciplinary agility, who can connect engineering with ethics and business strategy, and who draw strength from Singapore’s diverse talent pool.

Cultivating Future-Ready Leaders

IMDA’s SGDLA was designed to build these capabilities. By co-funding professional development, supporting overseas exposure and fostering mentorship networks, IMDA ensures that Singapore’s talent is not only technically proficient but also globally minded and socially attuned.

For leaders like Manik Saha, the playbook is already in action. Singapore’s most forward-thinking executives understand that corporate success and a strong digital ecosystem go hand in hand. By combining vision with engagement, they are shaping the next generation of talent who will drive innovation and deliver lasting value. And as Singapore strengthens its digital leadership pipeline, the future of technology will be defined not only by breakthroughs but by the people who bring them to life.

This article was first published on Forbes.com on 9 Jan 2026.