WTO highlights the implications of COVID-19 on digital divide

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has published an information note entitled ‘E-commerce, trade and the COVID-19 pandemic’ where it highlighted the implication of the health crisis on the digital divide. The note stresses that the digital gap is noticeable across developing and developed countries which in turn prevents the participation of actors, namely, small producers, sellers and consumers in e-commerce activities. The pandemic has also shed light on challenges like access to health and educational services which governments have sought to address through ICT policies that promote access.