Trinidad and Tobago: eTrade Readiness Assessment

June 2025

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Strategies and Action Plans

Author: UNCTAD

UNCTAD eTrade Readiness Assessment for Trinidad and Tobago (2025) is a comprehensive policy review that analyses the country’s digital ecosystem and provides recommendations for strengthening e-commerce and digital trade.

Purpose and scope

The report was prepared under UNCTAD’s eTrade for all initiative, which supports developing countries in building digital economies. Trinidad and Tobago’s assessment is the 37th globally and the second in Latin America and the Caribbean, after Peru. It examines seven policy areas central to e-commerce readiness:

  1. E-commerce strategy and institutional framework
  2. ICT infrastructure and services
  3. Trade logistics and facilitation
  4. Payment solutions
  5. Legal and regulatory frameworks
  6. E-commerce skills development
  7. Access to financing

Methodology

UNCTAD applied a five-phase approach:

  1. Initial consultations (Jan 2024) with government and development partners.
  2. Mapping institutions and stakeholders (Jan–Feb 2024).
  3. Data collection (Feb–Apr 2024) including desk research, 3 online surveys (260 private sector, 86 public sector, 253 consumers), multi-stakeholder consultations, and bilateral meetings.
  4. Drafting and review (Apr–Jun 2024).
  5. National validation workshop (July 2024), final revisions, editing, and publication (Nov 2024).

Cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, rural communities, persons with disabilities, and lack of reliable e-commerce statistics were also integrated.

Main findings

  • E-commerce strategy: Trinidad and Tobago has pursued digital reforms since the early 2000s, including the National E-commerce Strategy 2017–2021 and the ongoing Digital Transformation Strategy 2024–2027. A new E-commerce Strategy 2025–2030 is under development. However, efforts are fragmented, and statistics to guide policy are limited.
  • ICT infrastructure: The country has high connectivity (96% households online, 148 mobile subscriptions per 100 people) and six submarine cables, but underserved communities face gaps and Internet costs remain high.
  • Logistics: Systems like TTBizLink and ASYCUDA exist but remain fragmented; customs and postal systems need better interoperability.
  • Payments: Despite fintech growth, cash dominates. Multiple government e-payment systems lack integration. Credit unions and e-money issuers cannot yet access core payment infrastructure.
  • Legal and regulatory: The Electronic Transactions Act (2011) and Data Protection Act (2011) form a base, but key provisions are still unimplemented. Updates to consumer protection and cybercrime laws are pending. Accession to international conventions (e.g., Budapest Convention) is underway.
  • Skills: Literacy is high, but advanced digital and ICT skills are lacking. Women are underrepresented in technical roles. There is a divide between urban and rural populations.
  • Financing: MSMEs dominate the economy but face barriers in accessing loans, accounts, and alternative financing. Awareness of fintech and incubator programmes is limited.

Recommendations

The report calls for:

  1. A coordinated National E-commerce Strategy 2025–2030 aligned with digital transformation.
  2. Expansion of affordable internet, bridging the digital divide, and investment in 5G and data centers.
  3. Ratification of international conventions (Montreal Convention, Budapest Convention) and reforms in customs and logistics systems.
  4. Integration and trust-building in digital payments, expanding access for MSMEs.
  5. Modernisation of data protection, cybersecurity, and consumer protection laws.
  6. Large-scale programmes to build digital and e-commerce skills, including gender- and youth-specific interventions.
  7. Improved access to financing for MSMEs through simplified banking, government-backed loans, and awareness campaigns.

Significance

This assessment provides Trinidad and Tobago with a roadmap for inclusive digital transformation. It highlights strong infrastructure and high digital adoption but warns against fragmented initiatives and gaps in legislation, payments, and skills. Its recommendations aim to help the country leverage e-commerce for economic diversification, support MSMEs, and strengthen regional integration through CARICOM and beyond.