A persistent digital readiness gap is preventing many developing countries from harnessing the full potential of digital trade for sustainable and inclusive growth, according to a new study released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report, which reviewed 23 developing economies across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific, cites common barriers related to resource constraints, limited policy support, and critical gaps in skills and digital infrastructure. UNCTAD stresses that concerted global efforts are urgently needed to bridge this divide.
To ensure the digital economy benefits people, prosperity, and the planet, UNCTAD outlines a robust four-point plan:
Policy Integration: Deeper embedding of e-commerce and digital trade into national development and trade agendas to drive innovation, job creation, and economic resilience.
Institutional Strengthening: Bolstering implementing agencies and national statistical offices to effectively track progress and inform evidence-based reforms.
Regional Cooperation: Promoting greater cooperation to harmonize rules, improve payment interoperability, and facilitate cross-border e-commerce.
Inclusive Access: Bridging digital divides, especially for women, through improved connectivity, digital skills development, and better access to finance for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The report’s findings provide a critical agenda for the upcoming 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), set for 20-23 October in Geneva. The quadrennial conference will serve as a pivotal moment for governments, development partners, and the private sector to scale up reforms and investments in digital readiness.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan underscored the necessity of the task: “The road to digital readiness is not easy. It demands the relentless coordination, constant evaluation, and the unwavering resolve of champions.”
The new study reinforces UNCTAD’s role in creating an inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital future. The organization continues to lead efforts through its eTrade Implementation Support Mechanism, completing eTrade readiness assessments for 40 economies since 2017, which has helped shape national strategies in countries like Cambodia, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Vanuatu.
In a key effort to mobilize financing, UNCTAD recently partnered with the International Telecommunication Union and the World Bank to launch an initiative aimed at catalyzing investment in scalable digital infrastructure models to close the digital divide.
