e-Commerce Legislation

UNCTAD's annual event highlights the urgent need for global data and digital governance to help developing countries access the benefits of the soaring digital economy.

More trust in the internet is needed if the digital economy is to become a viable development tool for developing nations.

2018 poll of internet users in both developed and developing countries shows varying patterns of attitudes and behaviours toward the digital economy.

Although trade negotiators and Internet experts increasingly work on similar e-commerce issues, such as data flows, they do so in silos. A bridge between them needs to be built.

A new global survey reveals that Internet users are increasingly concerned about their online privacy, and that 49 percent of users polled say lack of trust is their main reason for not shopping online.

An assessment of the state of e-commerce legislation in the Economic Community of West African States revealed that progress has been made in harmonizing legislation in the region but that more work is needed, especially in the areas of electronic signatures, consumer protection and taxation procedures.

UNCTAD's 2015 Information Economy Report, subtitled "Unlocking the potential of E-Commerce in Developing Countries" was prominently featured at the Swiss e-Commerce Conference organized by NetComm Suisse - the Swiss E-Commerce Association - which took place in Baden, Switzerland, on 25 November 2015.

Representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met at UNCTAD seminar to share best practices to advance in cyberlaw harmonization in the fields of e-transactions, data protection and privacy, cybercrime, online consumer protection and taxation of e-commerce.

​"Enhancing e-commerce laws and regulations for inclusive growth and development", will be the focus of UNCTAD E-Commerce week (23-27 March).

​UNCTAD delivered a Small Private Online Course to lawmakers and government officials from selected West-African countries on key aspects to be considered for the drafting of e-Commerce laws.