Digital Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean: Connecting Markets, Powering Growth
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
September 2026
Subject
Integration and Trade;
Export;
Small Business;
Digital Economy;
Trade in Services;
International Trade;
Artificial Intelligence;
Export of Service;
Digital Technology;
Regulation;
Economic Development;
Export Growth;
Digital Transformation
JEL code
F13 - Trade Policy • International Trade Organizations;
F14 - Empirical Studies of Trade;
F15 - Economic Integration;
F63 - Economic Development;
O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences • Diffusion Processes
Category
Catalogs and Brochures;
Co-Publications
Digital trade is emerging as a major growth opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The regions exports of digitally delivered services increased nearly fivefold, from US$18.5 billion in 2005 to US$87.7 billion in 2024, yet they represent only 2 percent of the global total. Under a scenario combining technological progress with an improved policy environment, digitally deliverable services exports could grow by up to 7.9 percent annually through 2040.
Digital Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean: Connecting Markets, Powering Growth, a joint report by the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization, examines the regions digital trade landscape and the factors that enable or constrain its expansion. These include market openness, regulation, digital infrastructure and connectivity, cross-border payments, logistics and trade facilitation, export promotion, firm capabilities, skills, and access to finance. Drawing on new evidence, the report identifies possible actions to strengthen participation in digital trade and deepen regional integration. While providing a common foundation, these actions can inform country-specific roadmaps that reflect national circumstances, priorities, and needs, helping governments prioritize reforms, mobilize resources, engage stakeholders, and harness digital trade as an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Digital Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean: Connecting Markets, Powering Growth, a joint report by the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization, examines the regions digital trade landscape and the factors that enable or constrain its expansion. These include market openness, regulation, digital infrastructure and connectivity, cross-border payments, logistics and trade facilitation, export promotion, firm capabilities, skills, and access to finance. Drawing on new evidence, the report identifies possible actions to strengthen participation in digital trade and deepen regional integration. While providing a common foundation, these actions can inform country-specific roadmaps that reflect national circumstances, priorities, and needs, helping governments prioritize reforms, mobilize resources, engage stakeholders, and harness digital trade as an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth.
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