E-commerce and the digital economy

We enhance the capacities of developing countries to harness the evolving digital economy for more inclusive development.

eTrade Readiness Assessments

E-commerce Strategies

E-commerce and Law Reform

Measuring e-commerce and the digital economy

Digital Economy Report

The Report, formerly known as the Information Economy Report, monitors trends and policies related to access, use and impact of digital technologies from a development perspective.

Published every other year, the Report is prepared in close collaboration with external experts and organizations, including e-commerce associations, the ITC, ITU, UNCITRAL, UN regional commissions, UPU, World Information Technology and Services Alliance, WTO and World Bank.

Year in Review 2022

In accordance with the strengthened mandate that member States gave UNCTAD in the Bridgetown Covenant, in 2022 the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Programme supported developing countries and the international community to provide the evidence, develop the capacities and channel the assistance needed to better manage digital transformation and ensure that the benefits of e-commerce and the digital economy reach all people, everywhere.

This Year in Review provides an overview of the Programme's main activities and accomplishments in 2022.

News

A customer uses his smartphone for digital payment at a groceries shop in rural India.

World Summit on the Information Society: 5 things to know

Nearly 20 years on, the summit continues to bring to life the UN’s vision of a digital economy that fosters development.

26 Sep 2023

People transport fruits and vegetables in small boats in a country in Asia

UNCTAD counts the costs of achieving sustainable development goals

New analysis fills data gaps, helping countries know how much they need to spend – and how best to allocate financial resources.

18 Sep 2023

A woman uses facial recognition for identity verification on a smartphone.

UNCTAD supports small island nations to harness digital ID for inclusion

In an increasingly digitalized world, digital identities can foster economic and social empowerment in many far-flung places across the globe.

14 Sep 2023

The digital transformation offered by Industry 4.0 enables virtual replicas of manufacturing processes, production lines, factories and supply chains.

Registration for UNCTAD eWeek 2023 now open

The global event offers a unique platform for governments, businesses, civil society and international organizations to work together to shape a better digital future for all.

24 Jul 2023

More news

Featured Podcast

All things being equal: Changing the rules around big data 

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the pros and cons of big data with Shamika N. Sirimanne, director of UNCTAD’s technology and logistics division. 

View all podcasts

Special initiatives

eTrade for all initiative

eTrade for Women

UNCTAD eWeek

Pacific Digital Economy Programme

Featured event

Working group on measuring e-commerce and the digital economy, third meeting

28 - 29 Nov 2022

Video

Recent publications

Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade

Twin transition for global value chains: Green and digital

Mongolia: eTrade Readiness Assessment

Towards an E-commerce Strategy for Rwanda

E-commerce from a gender and development perspective

Measuring the value of e-commerce

More publications

Technical notes on ICT for development

This series presents work in progress on UNCTAD's latest research and analysis in the field of information and communications technologies (ICT) for development (ICT4D).

It consists of unedited, focused and succinct research contributions on topics closely related to measuring ICT, ICT policy reviews, e-commerce legislation, and ICT and women's entrepreneurship.