Benin Mali Niger Tender

UNCTAD provides capacity-building solutions and urges the three countries to take policy actions to optimize their electronic commerce potential.The coronavirus crisis is boosting e-commerce as more people shop online all over the world but least developed countries LDCs are not adequately prepared to tap the ensuing opportunities.UNCTADs rapid eTrade readiness assessments conducted in Benin Mali and Niger found that the three west African countries need far-reaching reforms to seize the benefits of online commerce.Findings of the assessments released on 30 April during the UNCTAD eWeek reveal that the three nations need better infrastructure and e-commerce strategies as well as capacity-building and improved access to finance for entrepreneurs.The assessments funded by Germany as part of its support to UNCTADs eTrade for all initiative call for assistance from development partners to help the countries implement medium to long-term measures to grow their e-commerce sectors which as in many LDCs are nascent and mostly hinge on the informal sector.Most payments are still made upon delivery in cash or via mobile payments due to the low penetration of financial services and the lack of confidence of consumers producers and service providers the assessments note.Benin Fragile but promising e-commerce sectorIn Benin the assessment found a fragile but emerging e-commerce sector being propped up by government efforts.We see e-commerce not just as a trade accelerator but also as an important means to overcoming the barriers erected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensuring the continuity of commercial activities said the countrys minister of industry and trade Shadiya Alimatou Assouman.Benins minister of digitalization Aurlie Adam Soule Zoumarou echoed the sentiments saying Mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic demonstrate the need to intensify digitalization in all sectors of our country.She said e-commerce could bolster the countrys economic growth. The report on Benins readiness to engage in e-commerce is therefore timely and well work to implement its recommendations.Until now the growth of Benins e-commerce sector has mainly relied on the informal economy through social networks and the strong development of mobile money. Now the country plans to develop a bonafide strategy with UNCTADs support.In 2018 Benin adopted a digital law to regulate electronic communications digital archiving electronic signatures e-commerce personal data protection cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime. But its yet to be fully implementedAccording to the UNCTAD assessment although Benin has already significantly invested in information and communications technology ICT infrastructure it still should map priority needs and ramp up action to achieve its objective of providing high-speed broadband coverage to 80 of the population.For instance it should expand connectivity and lower the cost of internet access seeing as almost half of the population 45 has no access to electricity.It urges further action to bridge gaps between required and existing skills among digital entrepreneurs and more measures to ease their access to credit from banks or microfinance institutions.Mali Massive infrastructure investment neededThe Malian e-commerce sector remains in its infancy despite efforts by public and private sectors to boost it UNCTADs assessment notes.It points to the need to accelerate the implementation of projects and reforms in the countrys digital strategy through a steering and coordination framework with clear implementation commitments.Landlocked Malis internet penetration stands at only 12.7 with users concentrated in the capital Bamako the assessment finds. The countrys digital isolation is aggravated by its geography increasing the transportation and logistical difficulties faced by businesses.A massive increase in investments in internet broadband infrastructure more public-private cooperation and infrastructure sharing are priority needs the report says. Also more support is needed for the national post and logistics sector to make them digital-ready.Despite Malis fast-growing mobile money adoption it is hobbled by inadequate financial services low financial inclusion limited competition and a slow uptake of e-payment methods for e-government services.The countrys ongoing national implementation of a regional strategy for financial inclusion should be sustained to lay a firm foundation for e-commerce the assessment report says.It adds that the countrys legal framework should be improved and public administration officials better equipped to integrate e-commerce into their support for the private sector.UNCTAD urges the Malian government to leverage its sensitized public administration broadband internet infrastructure projects and dynamic startups to implement coherent and inclusive actions to boost the e-commerce sector and the digital economy.Niger Need for national e-commerce strategyNiger does not have a national e-commerce strategy yet but has rolled out sectoral digital initiatives under various ministries such as e-health e-agriculture e-education and e-government programmes UNCTADs assessment says.These initiatives could be bolstered by integrating sectoral strategies into a national strategy and by enhancing ratcheting up cooperation among the ministries according to the assessment.The coronavirus pandemic is a harsh reminder of the important place of digital technologies in our lives and as a tool to mitigate the effects of such crises said the countrys minister of trade Sadou Seydou. A national e-commerce strategy will help guide our efforts.Also landlocked Niger has made advances in rolling out an internet backbone network.