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1、UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENTPolicy reviewZimbabweeTrade Readiness AssessmentUNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENTPolicy reviewZimbabweeTrade Readiness AssessmentGeneva,2025ii 2025,United Nations All rights reserved worldwideRequests to reproduce excerpts or to phot

2、ocopy should be addressed to the Copyright Clearance Centre at .All other queries on rights and licences,including subsidiary rights,should be addressed to:United Nations Publications 405 East 42nd Street New York,New York 10017 United States of AmericaEmail:publicationsun.org Website:https:/shop.un

3、.orgThe findings,interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s)and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.The designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work do not imply the expression

4、of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country,territory,city or area or of its authorities,or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.Mention of any firm or licensed process does not imply the endorsement of the United Natio

5、ns.This publication has been edited externally.United Nations publication issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentUNCTAD/DTL/ECDE/2025/2ISBN:978-92-1-003512-5 eISBN:978-92-1-107289-1 ISSN:2959-2658 eISSN:2959-2666 Sales No.E.25.II.D.17Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentiiiAc

6、knowledgementsThis eTrade Readiness Assessment(eT Ready)for Zimbabwe was prepared at UNCTAD by Alessandro Vitale,under the leadership and guidance of Martine Julsaint Kidane and Ccile Barayre.Valuable contributions were also received from the Division on Technology and Logistics and the Division on

7、International Trade and Commodities of UNCTAD.UNCTAD gratefully acknowledges the essential support of Gibson Chigumira,national consultant,throughout the various phases of the eT Ready process.UNCTAD extends its appreciation to the team at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce,Zimbabwe,led by Thomas

8、 U.Wushe,Permanent Secretary,and in particular Douglas Runyowa,Chief Director Commerce,eT Ready Focal Point;Netai Loice Magade,Director,Commerce and Consumer Affairs;Thulani Chitopo,Deputy Director Commerce;and Cardwell Makomo,Senior Economist.Their continuous technical support and in-country coordi

9、nation was crucial to the success of the project activities and the timely completion of the report.Thanks also go to the team of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Zimbabwe,who facilitated coordination with resident development partners working in the area of digitalization to collec

10、tively support the Government of Zimbabwe.Comments and inputs provided by experts from the following eTrade for all partners have substantially improved the final report:International Civil Aviation Organization,South Centre,Universal Postal Union and United Nations Commission on International Trade

11、 Law(UNCITRAL).In Geneva,the assessment was made possible thanks to the timely support of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva,and in particular Nesbert Samasuwo,Deputy Permanent Representative,and Diamond Njow

12、a,Counsellor.UNCTAD further gratefully acknowledges all institutions and individuals from the public and private sectors,as well as non-State actors,who dedicated their time and participated in eT Ready surveys and bilateral interviews and in focus group discussions(March 2024)and provided useful in

13、puts during the national validation workshops(November 2024)that took place in Harare and Bulawayo.This publication was edited by Olivier Steele.Desktop publishing was undertaken by Christina Christoforou.The cover design was provided by the UNCTAD Communication and External Relations Section.Admini

14、strative support was provided by Diana Quiros.UNCTAD acknowledges its particular gratitude to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea for the financial support provided for the preparation of this report.Financial support from other core donors to the UNCTAD E-commerce and t

15、he Digital Economy Programme is likewise greatly appreciated.This report was prepared with the financial support of the Government of the Republic of Korea.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentivTable of contentsAcknowledgements.iiiForeword.viiAbbreviations.viiiNote.xExecutive Summary.1Methodology.6S

16、ummary of Key Findings and Recommendations.9Findings Under the Seven eTrade for All Policy Areas.141.E-commerce Readiness Assessment and Strategy Formulation.142.ICT Infrastructure and Services.263.Trade Facilitation and Logistics.344.Payment Solutions.415.Legal and Regulatory Frameworks.486.E-comme

17、rce Skills Development.577.Access to Financing.64Conclusion.69The Way Forward:Action Matrix.71References.78Annex I:List of UNCTAD eTrade Readiness Assessments.80Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentvFiguresFigure 1 Enabling factors for e-commerce development in Zimbabwe.5Figure 2 The EGDI value and i

18、ts subcomponents in Zimbabwe and selected comparators.18Figure 3 Share of the population that used a mobile phone or the Internet to buy something online(in percentage).23Figure 4 Products and services most purchased by consumers via e-commerce.24Figure 5 Selected connectivity indicators in Zimbabwe

19、 and aggregates.27Figure 6 Zimbabwes fibre backbone network.28Figure 7 Data-only mobile broadband basket,as a percentage of GNI per capita,in Zimbabwe and selected group comparators.30Figure 8 Priorities in the area of ICT infrastructure and services to create an enabling environment for e-commerce.

20、32Figure 9 Zimbabwes LPI scoring with selected comparators .36Figure 10 Percentage share of e-transactions processed through the National Payment Systems in volume and value.44Figure 11 Reasons for paying on delivery.47Figure 12 Importance of legal reforms to create an enabling environment for e-com

21、merce.49Figure 13 Proportion of individuals with ICT skills.58Figure 14 The skills base in businesses.59Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentviFigure 15 Adequacy of the offer for digital skills training.60Figure 16 Financing sources of e-commerce investments.67TablesTable 1 Main national business org

22、anizations in Zimbabwe.21Table 2 Mobile money accounts and value of transactions(as a share of GDP),per year.42Table 3 Overview of main e-payment systems in Zimbabwe.44BoxesBox 1 AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in a nutshell.17Box 2 Defining e-commerce in an international context.20Box 3 Social inc

23、lusion and off-grid power generation:The experience of Powerlive.33Box 4 Zimbabwemall:a marketplace leveraging Zimposts assets.35Box 5 An overview of taxation of e-commerce with a focus on Africa.56Box 6 Empowering women and youth through digital skills and literacy:the case of Tofara.62Box 7 Improv

24、ing access to finance to reduce the gender gap in financial inclusion.65Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentviiForewordThe UNCTAD-led eTrade for all initiative,launched at the fourteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD XIV)in July 2016,is a practical example

25、of how to harness the digital economy in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The initiative seeks to raise awareness,enhance synergies,and increase the scale of existing and new efforts by the development community to strengthen the ability of developing countries to engage in and

26、 benefit from e-commerce,by addressing seven relevant policy areas:E-commerce readiness assessment and strategy formulation,ICT infrastructure and services,Trade logistics and trade facilitation,Payment solutions,Legal and regulatory frameworks,E-commerce skills development,and Access to financing.U

27、NCTAD works with Governments of developing countries and key stakeholders to improve their digital economy capabilities through eTrade Readiness Assessments.These assessments analyse the digital and e-commerce ecosystems of beneficiary countries and provide policy recommendations based on the challe

28、nges and opportunities for e-commerce development identified across the seven policy areas.To operationalize those recommendations,UNCTAD established an eTrade Implementation Support Mechanism in 2020 to increase in-country coordination support and build national capacities needed to ensure efficien

29、t and effective implementation of e-commerce policies and initiatives.The eTrade Readiness Assessment of Zimbabwe is the thirty-ninth such assessment conducted by UNCTAD and the twentieth in Africa.It helps identify the challenges and measures to be taken to support the development of e-commerce and

30、 digital trade in line with Zimbabwes vision for digital transformation and its development aspirations.The eT Ready development process has laid the foundation for strengthening policy dialogue and engagement with a broad range of national stakeholders.I hope that this report will contribute to sup

31、port the Government of Zimbabwe in its efforts to build a strong and safe e-commerce ecosystem favourable to its people,businesses and consumers,and in so doing,deepen its trade integration at the regional and continental level.Torbjrn Fredriksson Head,E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch Division

32、on Technology and Logistics,UNCTADZimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentviiiAbbreviationsAfCFTAAfrican Continental Free Trade Agreement ASYCUDAAutomated System for Customs Data AWASYCUDAWorldBMOsBusiness membership organizationsBPOBusiness process outsourcingCAAZCivil Aviation Authority of ZimbabweCDS

33、Customs Declaration SystemCICCommunity Information CenterCOMESACommon Market for Eastern and Southern AfricaCPCConsumer Protection Commission CZIConfederation of Zimbabwe Industries EGDIE-Government Development IndexFDIForeign direct investmentGDPGross Domestic ProductGNIGross National Income ICAOIn

34、ternational Civil Aviation OrganizationICTInformation and Communications Technology ICTAZInformation and Communication Technology Association of Zimbabwe IDIdentification documentIECMSIntegrated Electronic Case Management System IMFInternational Monetary Fund IMTTIntermediated Money Transfer Tax IPR

35、sIntellectual Property Rights ISOCThe Internet Society ITCInternational Trade Centre ITUInternational Telecommunication UnionIXPInternet exchange pointKYCKnow-Your-Customer LLDCLandlocked developing countryLPILogistics Performance Index MFIsMicro-finance institutions MHTEISTDMinistry of Higher and T

36、ertiary Education,Innovation,Science and Technology Development MICMinistry of Industry and CommerceMICTPCSMinistry of Information Communication Technologies Postal and Courier Services MLETRUNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records MLITUNCITRAL Model Law on the Use and Cross-border Reco

37、gnition of Identity Management and Trust Services Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness AssessmentixMOFAITMinistry of Foreign Affairs&International TradeMPSEMinistry of Primary and Secondary EducationMSMEsMicro,small,and medium enterprises NCCNational Competitiveness Commission NDS1National Development Strategy

38、 1 2021-2025NTFCNational Trade Facilitation CommitteeNVCCZNational Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe OSBPOne-Stop Border PostOECDOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OPCOffice of the President and Cabinet POTRAZPostal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe QoSQua

39、lity of service RBZReserve Bank of ZimbabweRECRegional Economic Community SADCSouthern African Development CommunitySMEAZSME Association of ZimbabweSMEDCOSmall and Medium Enterprises Development CorporationSMEsSmall and medium enterprises STEMScience,Technology,Engineering and MathematicsTFATrade Fa

40、cilitation AgreementTVETTechnical Education and Vocational TrainingUNECAUnited Nations Economic Commission for AfricaUPUUniversal Postal Union USFUniversal Service Fund VATValue-added tax WTOWorld Trade Organization ZCHPCZimbabwe Centre for High Performance ComputingZeSWZimbabwe Electronic Single Wi

41、ndowZIMDEFZimbabwe Manpower Development FundZimpostZimbabwe PostsZIMRAZimbabwe Revenue AuthorityZimStatZimbabwe National Statistics AgencyZNCCZimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce ZUNSDCFZimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation FrameworkZWMBZimbabwe Womens Microfinance Bank Zimbab

42、we eTrade Readiness AssessmentxNoteWithin the UNCTAD Division on Technology and Logistics,the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch carries out policy-oriented analytical work on the development implications of information and communication technologies(ICTs),e-commerce and the digital economy.It is

43、 responsible for the preparation of the Digital Economy Report(DER)as well as thematic studies on ICT for Development.The Branch promotes international dialogue on issues related to ICTs for development and contributes to building developing countries capacities to measure the digital economy and to

44、 design and implement relevant policies and legal frameworks.It also monitors the global status of e-commerce legislation(UNCTAD Cyberlaw Tracker).Since 2016,the Branch has coordinated a multi-stakeholder initiative entitled eTrade for all(etradeforall.org),which aims to improve the ability of devel

45、oping countries,particularly least developed countries(LDCs),to use and benefit from e-commerce.The initiative is also behind the UNCTAD eTrade for Women(eT4W)programme,launched in 2019,which aims to promote a more inclusive digital economy,in particular,through its network of Advocates.These female

46、 digital entrepreneurs are active in all developing regions and contribute to capacity-building,mentoring and awareness-raising activities for more inclusive gender policies.Reference to companies and their activities should not be construed as an endorsement by UNCTAD of those companies or their ac

47、tivities.The following symbols may have been used in the tables:Two dots(.)indicate that data are not available or are not separately reported.Rows in tables have been omitted in those cases where no data are available for any of the elements in the row;A dash()indicates that the item is equal to ze

48、ro or its value is negligible;Reference to“dollars”(US$)means United States of America dollars unless otherwise indicated;Use of an en dash(-)between dates representing years signifies the full period involved,including the beginning and end years;andDetails and percentages in tables do not necessar

49、ily add up to the totals because of rounding.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment1Executive SummaryIntroductionE-commerce in Zimbabwe is still in its nascent stage,predominantly limited to urban areas.However,Zimbabwes eTrade Readiness Assessment(eT Ready)highlights a growing willingness among the G

50、overnment,businesses and consumers to embrace e-commerce and leverage the digital economy for economic transformation and national development.This assessment sheds light on fundamental hurdles,stakeholders aspirations and their ongoing efforts.Overcoming identified challenges is essential for maxim

51、izing the opportunities and productivity gains that could be derived from a thriving e-commerce ecosystem.E-commerce readiness assessment and strategy formulationSince 2019,macroeconomic turbulences in the form of high persistent inflation,exchange rate pressures and currency devaluation,external de

52、bt arrears,among others,have destabilized the economy growth trajectory and worsened the business environment.To restore growth and a new economic course,the Government of Zimbabwe has developed an ambitious development agenda,Vision 2030,and a National Development Strategy(2021-2025)focusing on the

53、 promotion of information and communications technologies(ICTs).The development of e-government has contributed to laying the foundations of Zimbabwes digital transformation journey,through the interconnection of government departments and the creation of the ZimConnect e-services portal.The Nationa

54、l ICT Policy 2022-2027,the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and the National Broadband Plan 2020-2030 launched in March 2024,provide policy guidance towards improving access to connectivity and fostering ICT adoption in various subsectors of the economy.Stakeholders consulted have underscored the nee

55、d for a clear strategy to create a level playing field for the development of e-commerce.This is even more timely in the context of regional and continental integration,in view of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA)Digital Trade Protocol.As e-commerce gains increasi

56、ng prominence in national policy developments and international cooperation,the need for a structured governance and sound public-private dialogue is emerging in Zimbabwe.The Ministry of Industry and Commerce(MIC)is well placed to build on the steps undertaken during this assessment to involve stake

57、holders and formalize an interministerial National E-Commerce Committee.To enable dialogue with the private sector and a broader range of stakeholders,there is a need to build capacities on e-commerce policy advocacy skills and create a public-private engagement framework.At the same time,building c

58、apacities for measurement of e-commerce is also needed.This could emanate from efforts aimed at overseeing the e-commerce ecosystem development,e.g.,via a market observatory.The overall development of e-commerce in Zimbabwe largely proliferates in the informal economy which employs 87 per cent of th

59、e employed population in 2023.Efforts to promote e-commerce should go in hand in hand with making it more inclusive and promoting womens economic empowerment,as the overall participation of women in the economy remains significantly lower than men.ICT infrastructure and servicesAccording to ITU data

60、,less than forty percent of the Zimbabwes population uses the Internet,with a significant urban-rural divide.The ICT sector suffers from a series of challenges,including Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment2 2the cost of capital and inputs to support investments in this sector,vandalism,limited shar

61、ing of infrastructures and duplication in public civil works,power outages,taxation and administrative red tape.Despite these challenges,the fibre backbone infrastructure is growing and extends for more than 11,500 km and a Computer Incident Response Team(CIRT)is being established.Last mile connecti

62、vity is mainly driven by mobile networks,notably 3G,but mostly concentrated in more profitable areas.The Government has spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving access to the Internet,via the more than 200 Community Information Centers(CICs)spread across the country and via the Universal Service F

63、und(USF).However,the cost of Internet connectivity is among the most expensive in the world,with taxation significantly contributing to drive such cost upward.The 10 per cent combined excise duty and health levy on airtime particularly affects users,contributing to the high costs of Internet access.

64、Insufficient remedial actions in response to weak enforcement of Quality-of-Service standards,unfinished reforms such as the one on mobile number portability also contribute to create a less favourable environment for ICT services users.Increasing investment in cybersecurity,power generation capacit

65、y,and greater levels of competition would encourage more private sector investments and would further the emergence of a business process outsourcing industry,in line with other rising African peers.Trade logistics and trade facilitationThe logistics sector in Zimbabwe is too weakly structured to su

66、stain robust growth of e-commerce.It is fragmented into a small number of licensed operators serving a narrow base clientele,and a larger set of informal service providers.The licensing framework revised in 2023 will hopefully encourage more operators to register and formalize their business.The ove

67、rall range of logistics services has for a long time suffered from under-investments due to a deterioration in financing conditions.In the absence of efficient multi-modal logistics services and facilities,and with the limited network of last-mile delivery solutions and pick-up centres,parcel delive

68、ry is segmented among various operators in the logistics chain.A unified street naming and addressing system was launched in 2020,but its acceptance and use by the population should be reinforced to enable seamless e-commerce door-step delivery.The national postal operator,Zimpost,has embarked on a

69、gradual shift towards digitalization,piloting various digital solutions and e-commerce services,such as the Zimbabwemall marketplace.Zimbabwes Logistics Performance Index score is comparable to that of upper-middle income countries,thanks to reforms undertaken in the area of trade facilitation,inclu

70、ding the use of an automated customs management system,ASYCUDAWorld(AW)and UPUs Customs Declaration System(CDS),the Electronic Single Window and one-stop cross-border posts,and efforts to modernize the transport infrastructure,including in the aviation sector which is key for a landlocked developing

71、 country(LLDC).Yet,further simplifying trade procedures,fostering reforms for paperless trade in line with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA)and better coordination among agencies would be required to further promote trade.In addition,a revised de minimis regime would be particularly benefici

72、al to fluidify cross-border e-commerce.Payment solutionsThe widespread adoption of mobile money has contributed to reducing the rural/urban/gender financial inclusion gaps.Currently,70 per cent of adult Zimbabweans have access to a transaction platform or an account that allows them to transact digi

73、tally,either through a bank or mobile money account.The National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2022-2026 aims to address persisting challenges by improving financial literacy and equitable access to more innovative and fair financial services provided through formal/regulated entities.The Reserve Ban

74、k of Zimbabwe,the financial system and payments regulator,has strived to foster competition,including in the mobile money market.Since its introduction in 2011,mobile money has grown very fast Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment3in a highly concentrated market.This growth led to multiple regulatory

75、 interventions to enable interoperability,which became fully enforced in 2020 with the establishment of a national switch platform,ZimSwitch.Moreover,efforts are underway to promote cross-border retail payments integration at the regional and continental levels.These efforts are gradually shaping an

76、 articulated landscape of payment services,including APIs,payment gateways,e-wallets and various online/mobile banking and card-based solutions,which could act as enablers of e-commerce and the digital economy.Challenges remain with managing the foreign exchange market,restrictions on international

77、financial transactions and uncertainties on the new monetary course following the introduction of a new currency,the ZiG,in April 2024.Moreover,the taxation of money transfers,such as the 2 per cent Intermediated Money Transfer Tax(IMTT),on e-payments continues to pose obstacles to financial inclusi

78、on and broader digital payment adoption.Efforts towards cashless transactions and the uptake of e-payment solutions,have not been paralleled by an equivalent adoption of e-commerce by businesses and consumers,as the share of population using a mobile phone or the Internet to buy something online sto

79、od at 2.5 per cent in 2021(World Bank Findex).Respondents to UNCTADs consumer survey have pointed to a lack of trust in merchants,in payment solutions offered,or the overall payment system as key barriers for adoption.As a result,cash-on-delivery still represents an important component of the e-comm

80、erce experience in Zimbabwe,and concerns over online fraud and the significant share of informal e-commerce continue to hinder progress towards a fully digital e-commerce ecosystem.Legal and regulatory frameworksZimbabwe has not yet enacted dedicated legislation covering e-transactions and e-commerc

81、e.The Consumer Protection Act contains provisions related to e-commerce,such as transparency requirements,price information,redress mechanisms,cooling-off clauses,and regulation of unfair business practices.A Consumer Protection Commission has been established to promote consumers interests and faci

82、litate dispute resolution.Zimbabwe would benefit from developing a comprehensive legal framework providing certainty as regards domestic,as well as cross-border e-commerce transactions.Among some priority measures that Zimbabwe could consider,this assessment recommends spearheading the adoption of t

83、he long-awaited Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill and adapting the legal framework based on UNCITRAL model laws and conventions.The Cyber and Data Protection Act covers simultaneously data protection and transfer,and cybercrime and cybersecurity,with an emphasis on security rather

84、 than on commerce-related aspects.Laws and regulations on intellectual property rights are in place,although the effect of their application in the digital space has not been assessed.Similarly,the legal frameworks for digital identity and electronic signatures have not gained sufficient traction,an

85、d the necessary public key infrastructure for trust services providers is still lacking.While public procurement is transitioning to digital platforms,it does not fully leverage the potential of national ICT service providers and innovators to source goods and services to national administrations.Al

86、so,a taxation framework for e-commerce does exist but is not effectively implemented.There is ample space to build awareness of the existing provisions and educate the market on how to leverage the existing legal framework when conducting electronic transactions.Zimbabwe would also benefit from stre

87、ngthening the capacities of enforcement agencies and creating a user-friendly system for resolving disputes,especially in the context of cross-border transactions.E-commerce skills developmentZimbabwe has a solid human capital base but only a small fraction of the population and MSMEs master product

88、ive digital skills.Significant gaps in ICT skills among teachers,Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment4unconnected and scarcely ICT-equipped schools hinder further integration of ICT in education curricula and a comprehensive digital skills competencies framework is lacking.In response,the Government

89、 has prioritized Education 5.0 and a new Technical Education and Vocational Training Policy to mitigate the skills mismatch and align the education and training offer with future labour market demands.Stakeholders surveyed have indicated that,to a certain extent,the current offer of education and tr

90、aining programs supports businesses with some level of competencies on the functioning of e-commerce.However,more targeted efforts are needed to meet the needs of start-ups,MSMEs,and women-led businesses.This includes training in the latest technologies and innovative digital applications,as well as

91、 in such core areas as logistics and delivery,processes of cross-border e-commerce,and management of online shops.This also points to the need for strengthening the capacities of business support infrastructure,fostering partnerships and providing incentives(e.g.,via a Start-Up Act)to deliver busine

92、ss development services more aligned to the needs of a flourishing digital ecosystem.As Zimbabwe prepares for the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol,enhancing public sector capacities in the intersection of e-commerce and various public policy dimensions is equally crucial.Access to

93、 financingDespite a diversified formal financial sector that includes 19 banking institutions and over 240 microfinance establishments,private sector financing is a major bottleneck.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe(RBZ)reported that loans to women,MSMEs and youth only account for about 3 to 4 per cent o

94、f total banking sector loans.MSMEs face various challenges,ranging from a costly business environment,complex fiscal and bureaucratic procedures,limited business and financial management skills,and weak corporate governance.Digital businesses are even more at a disadvantage as they often lack collat

95、erals and credit history.As a result,most Zimbabwean small-scale businesses are self-funded,with diaspora remittances also serving as a significant source of funding,accounting for 11 per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product(GDP).Several initiatives have been undertaken with Government suppor

96、t,including reforms establishing a credit registry,collaterals registry and credit guarantee scheme,as well as targeted products and financial institutions benefiting MSMEs and women entrepreneurs.Venture capital and alternative forms of financing are still marginal,requiring a more attractive and s

97、olid policy and legal framework to alleviate the financing shortages of start-ups and digital businesses.The review of the seven policy pillars underscores the dual nature of Zimbabwes current digital ecosystem development fuelled by e-commerce.On the one hand,the Government and the private sector h

98、ave genuine aspirations to embrace digitalization at all levels,motivated by the firm belief that e-commerce can enhance productivity and contribute to the national development agenda.Various laudable initiatives have contributed to translate ambitions into concrete outcomes.On the other hand,ongoin

99、g efforts are slowed down by a difficult macroeconomic and business environment,but also by a lack of a coherent vision and inclusive engagement framework.These are critical to guide the trajectory of public and private plans to overcome the prevailing fragmentation of the e-commerce ecosystem.Feedb

100、ack provided by survey respondents from the public and private sector(Figure 1)point at various levels of maturity across policy areas.The availability of means of payments and ICT service providers are considered among the most mature elements of Zimbabwes e-commerce ecosystem,while affordable and

101、widely available Internet connectivity is assessed as the least mature element.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment5Figure 1 Enabling factors for e-commerce development in ZimbabwePlease evaluate the following factors related to e-commerce development based on their maturity(Public and private secto

102、r surveys,78 responses)Source:UNCTAD,2024Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment6MethodologyThe eTrade Readiness Assessment of Zimbabwe was conducted to identify the main barriers and opportunities for e-commerce development in the seven policy areas of eTrade for all,by providing a detailed analysis o

103、f the digital ecosystem and identifying key policy actions for which support can be mobilized.It used a five-phase methodology developed by UNCTAD for the project in order to(a)ensure a high level of participation and engagement of key stakeholders in the overall assessment process,(b)raise awarenes

104、s of the opportunities offered by e-commerce(through capacity-building and knowledge sharing),(c)strengthen the publicprivate sector dialogue and enhance inter-ministerial coordination and policy coherence in the field of e-commerce,and(d)mobilize support from development partners to accelerate the

105、countrys digital transformation.Phases from 1 to 3,involving initial consultations,institutional setting and mapping,as well as data collection,took place mainly in Q1 2024.Phase 4 involving report drafting and review took place in Q2 and Q3 2024 and validation in Q4 2024.The report was finalized by

106、 the end of 2024 and was published and launched in 2025(Phase 5).Phase 1.Initial consultations.Initial consultations and outreach were conducted with representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe and of the Republic of Korea,the main funding partner of this assessment.On the margins of eWeek 2023(Ge

107、neva,4-8 December),meetings were organized to review the timeline and next phases of the project.Initial consultations and outreach were conducted with the UN Resident Coordinator Office(UNRCO)and resident development partners,and eTrade for all partners were informed of the project.Phase 2.Institut

108、ional setting and mapping.This phase included the establishment of an eT Ready core group steering the project,including teams from MIC,the Zimbabwes Permanent Mission in Geneva and UNCTAD.This phase was also instrumental for piloting a multistakeholder inter-ministerial committee composed of design

109、ated focal points in relevant ministries and government,which was particularly helpful to build a common understanding of the objectives of the project,consolidate the stakeholders mapping exercise,and mobilize a broader range of stakeholders.A mapping of resident development partners active in e-co

110、mmerce and digital development in Zimbabwe was also initiated.Phase 3.Data collection.This phase included:Desk review.Comprehensive desk research was carried out to analyse secondary data(national and sector-specific strategies,and relevant programme and policy documents)and compile statistics and d

111、igital-related indicators.Online eT Ready Surveys.Three questionnaires(for the public sector,private sector and consumers)were adapted to the national context and disseminated online from 19 March to 17 June 2024.A total of 63 responses from the private sector,45 from the public sector,and 77 respon

112、ses from consumers were collected and analysed for the assessment.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment7 Considering the relatively small number of responses,readers should interpret with caution the surveys results.National multi-stakeholder consultations.These were organized in Harare(19-20 March 2

113、024)and Bulawayo(22 March 2024).The High-Level Opening for the Harare consultations was attended by Hon.Nqobizitha M.Ndlovu,Minister of Industry and Commerce,Hon.Tatenda Mavetera,Minister of Information Communication Technology,Postal and Courier Services,H.E.Mr.Jae Kyung Park,Ambassador of the Repu

114、blic of Korea and the representative of the ITU Regional Office for Africa,Ms.Anne Rita Ssemboga,standing in for Mr.Edward Kallon,UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe.Over 60 participants took part in the national multi-stakeholder consultations in Harare and over 70 participants joined the consultat

115、ions in Bulawayo,of which approximately 43 per cent(in Harare)and 35 per cent(in Bulawayo)were women.These national multi-stakeholder consultations were an opportunity for representatives from both the public and private sectors(including academia,civil society and development partners in Zimbabwe)t

116、o review the main challenges and opportunities relating to e-commerce development in Zimbabwe,express their needs and share information on the state of relevant ongoing e-commerce-related priorities and actions.On the sidelines of the consultations,bilateral meetings with representatives of Zimbabwe

117、an companies were organized.Phase 4.Report drafting and validationThe first draft of the report covering the seven key policy areas and the eT Ready Action Matrix went through an internal UNCTAD review process and peer review process by technical partners and eTrade for all partners.MIC coordinated

118、the in-country review process by involving key national stakeholders.National eT Ready validation workshops were organized in Bulawayo and Harare,on 19 and 20 November 2024 respectively,to review and validate the results of the report and the eT Ready Action Matrix by national stakeholders.Phase 5.F

119、inalization and launch of the reportThis final phase included:The final draft of the report,Editing,layout,and printing,and The national launch of the report,including a high-level policy dialogue around e-commerce and a donor roundtable to mobilize support for policy implementation.In line with the

120、 eT Ready methodology,the seven eTrade for all policy areas were utilized as entry points.The information provided in this report is based on qualitative and quantitative data collected from:(i)desk research,(ii)data collected from the 185 respondents from the three online surveys(public,private and

121、 consumer),(iii)the results of the national multi-stakeholder and bilateral consultations,and(iv)specific contributions made by eTrade for all and development partners.Additionally,wherever relevant,this assessment integrates cross-cutting themes such as gender mainstreaming,youth engagement,rural c

122、ommunity support and persons with disabilities,and addresses the lack of reliable statistics related to e-commerce.These areas are considered crucial to ensuring that the digital economy fosters inclusive growth and sustainable development.While the primary focus of the report is on e-commerce,it al

123、so underscores the significance of digital trade(defined as all trade that is digitally ordered and/or delivered).The bottlenecks Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment8identified in e-commerce often overlap with those in broader digital trade,highlighting common challenges such as infrastructure gaps

124、,regulatory barriers,and skills shortages that affect both sectors.The solutions proposed within this framework,therefore,are intended to facilitate not only e-commerce development but also digital trade more broadly.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment9Summary of Key Findings and RecommendationsMai

125、n FindingsMain RecommendationsE-commerce Readiness Assessment and Strategy Formulation E-commerce activity is at an early stage of development,mostly an urban phenomenon and driven by the diaspora,mostly happening in the informal economy and“mobile commerce”space.Digital economy features as a promin

126、ent national priority and an economic growth enabler in the National Development Strategy(2021-2025)and Vision 2030,as well as in various sectoral policies and strategies.However,the absence of a dedicated national e-commerce strategy and unified vision is hindering e-commerce.Effective governance m

127、echanisms and a public-private engagement framework are needed to steer and coordinate e-commerce development initiatives and policy dialogue.Data-driven oversight of e-commerce market developments is lacking and there is no harmonized system to record e-commerce activities and collect statistics ba

128、sed on international standards.This is a major gap for designing e-commerce enabling public policies.The“siloism”of government departments and systems is preventing seamless data exchange,integration and centralization of e-government services.Develop a national e-commerce strategy,with an implement

129、ation plan.Formalize the interministerial E-Commerce Committee with a framework to engage the private sector in public-private dialogue.Implement full interoperability and inter-connectivity of various government systems to enhance e-government services delivery.Support the development of research h

130、ubs on the policy and regulatory aspects of e-commerce,linked to main business advocacy organizations.Build capacities of agencies involved in the production of statistics to integrate measurement of e-commerce transactions.Creation of a market observatory based on a public repository of e-commerce

131、platforms and online shops,with a minimum of quality requirements for businesses to be listed.ICT Infrastructure and Services The ICT sector faces various challenges,such as telecom market concentration,high cost of capital and inputs to support investments,vandalism,limited sharing of infrastructur

132、es and duplication in public civil works,power outages,taxation and administrative red tape,as well as weak cybersecurity infrastructure.Last-mile connectivity and limited coverage in urban areas,expensive and unaffordable Internet connectivity and devices are major challenges for businesses and hou

133、seholds.The Internet penetration rate in Zimbabwe stands at 38.4 per cent of the population(latest ITU data,2023).Government initiatives,such as Community Information Centers,are bringing Internet connectivity and ICT basic facilities closer to the underserved population.The scrapping of mobile roam

134、ing charges at the regional level is also another important initiative.More efforts should be devoted to improving Quality of Service,consumer satisfaction and protection,as well as increasing power generation capacity.Zimbabwe has a growing private ICT sector but lacks an attractive framework for a

135、 business process outsourcing industry to thrive.Review the ICT regulatory framework to foster infrastructure sharing and competition among telecom operators and ICT service providers.Conduct an in-depth study to identify the ICT sector cost-drivers,with an action plan for policy interventions.Incen

136、tivize the development and upgrade of data centres and IXPs,in collaboration with the private sector,and establish the National Computer Incident Response Team.Enhance participation in USF-funded projects and encourage more public-private partnerships Carry-out consumers surveys and engage businesse

137、s and consumers advocacy organizations in the definition,monitoring and enforcement of QoS standards.Develop a business process outsourcing strategy.Accelerate electrification projects in rural areas,especially through incentives for independent power producers.Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation

138、 The logistics sector in Zimbabwe is fragmented into a small number of licensed operators serving a narrow base clientele,and a larger set of informal service providers.Provide incentives(e.g.,grants,tax breaks on investments,technical assistance)to all postal and logistics operators to adopt techno

139、logical solutions and efficiency-enhancing measures.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment10Main FindingsMain Recommendations Zimpost,the national postal operator,has embraced various digital solutions and e-commerce services,e.g.,the Zimbabwemall marketplace.However,Zimposts integration into governme

140、nts digital transformation processes and its capacity to support inclusion of MSMEs in e-commerce markets has room to grow.The logistics chain is segmented due to a lack of efficient multi-modal logistics services and facilities.A deterioration in financing conditions has historically impacted the c

141、apacity to invest in building fleets and digital solutions for e-commerce,hence there is limited availability of track and trace systems,the possibility to return goods,premium express deliveries,and a network of pick-up points.Doorstep delivery is not supported by an effective use of the new street

142、 naming and addressing system launched in 2020.Transport infrastructure is being renovated and expanded on various routes and by carriers.The aviation sector,key for a LLDC like Zimbabwe,is pursuing several reforms,investments and internal cooperation initiatives.Reforms in the area of trade facilit

143、ation,e.g.,customs automation,the Electronic Single Window and one-stop cross-border posts,are underway.Zimpost is using the UPU Customs Declaration System but there is no interfacing between CDS and ASYCUDA World.Trade procedures are still perceived as excessively cumbersome and call for better coo

144、rdination among agencies.The current de minimis regime is not perceived as conducive to enabling cross-border e-commerce.Encourage Zimpost efforts towards digitalization and inclusion of MSMEs in e-commerce markets.Encourage investments for shared fulfilment facilities and logistics hubs,multi-modal

145、 transport partnerships,modernization of fleets and expansion of the pick-up centres network.Sensitize informal logistics operators on licensing requirements and related benefits of formalization.Raise awareness of the population on the new street names and its importance for door-step delivery in e

146、-commerce.Enhance cross-border transport infrastructure and facilities(e.g.,warehouses,fast-track procedures,IT equipment)at border posts to facilitate e-commerce express deliveries.Implement aviation-related international commitments(such as the Chicago and Montreal Conventions)that can benefit tra

147、de and e-commerce.Onboard agencies to strengthen their integration into the ZeSW as well as their capacities to foster paperless trade.Develop a plan for business facilitation reforms to promote trade and cross-border e-commerce(including fast-tracking reforms in line with the WTO TFA and leveraging

148、 UNCTAD-UPU cooperation)and review the current de minimis threshold based on a cost-benefit analysis.Payment Solutions Financial inclusion has improved over the last few years,with 84 per cent of the population accessing some form of formal financial service,and 70 per cent accessing a digital trans

149、actional account.The increase in mobile money use has contributed to reducing the rural/urban/gender financial inclusion gaps.Mobile money has grown fast but with a large concentration and remains dominant,but the e-payments landscape has also expanded thanks to Fintech,the emergence of e-wallets,pa

150、yments gateways,online banking,and card-based solutions.Regulatory interventions have led to enforcing interoperability,operationalization of the national switch,fostering competition,cybersecurity and RBZs supervision.Challenges remain in relation to restrictions on foreign exchange and internation

151、al financial transactions,the introduction of new ZiG currency,cross-border retail payments,and taxation of money transfers.Risks of online fraud,low trust,prevalence of informal e-commerce,Internet connectivity issues and cost of digital payment transactions hinder fully digital e-commerce growth a

152、nd cash-on-delivery is popular.Implement the 2022-2026 National Financial Inclusion Strategy,promote financial literacy and the use of digital financial services among the financially excluded segments of society.Improve financial management reforms to comply with international standards for secure

153、and transparent international financial transactions.Improve systems enabling regional and continental payments interoperability schemes and seamless retail payments integration.Review the taxation provisions applied to money transfers(e.g.,IMTT).Take stock of the Fintech Sandbox experience with a v

154、iew to creating a more attractive environment for Fintech promoters.Assess technical and regulatory requirements of payment service providers to remove bottlenecks for the full and safe integration of various e-payment solutions,such as e-wallets,digital banking applications,mobile money and payment

155、 gateways,into e-commerce platforms.Legal and Regulatory Framework Zimbabwe has not yet enacted dedicated legislation covering e-transactions and e-commerce,and also lacks legal provisions addressing cross-border transactions,as per international legal instruments(e.g.,UNCITRAL model laws and conven

156、tions).Spearhead the adoption of the long-awaited Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill and assess incorporation of UNCITRAL conventions and model laws into domestic law.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment11Main FindingsMain Recommendations The Consumer Protection Act and the Cyber a

157、nd Data Protection Act are the main pieces of cyber legislation.The Consumer Protection Act contains provisions related to e-commerce,e.g.,in terms of transparency requirements and price information,redressal mechanisms,cooling-off clauses,regulation of unfair business practices.The Consumer Protect

158、ion Commission has been established to promote consumers interests and facilitate dispute resolution.Zimbabwe has developed legislation on intellectual property rights,but no assessment of its application in the digital space has been made.The legal framework and infrastructure covering digital iden

159、tity and electronic signatures does not support the emergence of a market for trust services providers.A taxation framework for e-commerce exists but is not effectively implemented.Awareness of the existing legal provisions and enforcement,systems for dispute resolutions,especially in cross-border e

160、-commerce,are inadequate to build trust in e-commerce.Review the legal framework applicable to data protection and cybersecurity to make it more supportive of digital economy development.Strengthen international cooperation with other police and judiciary institutions,when appropriate.Develop a robu

161、st legal framework and institutional architecture for e-signatures and digital identity.Undertake an assessment of the current legislation on IPRs,for IPR protection and extending limitations and exceptions,in the context of the digital economy.Promote public procurement of Made-in-Zimbabwe innovati

162、ve ICT-based solutions.Strengthen the current taxation framework applicable to e-commerce.Organize training workshops for businesses,awareness,information and education campaigns for consumers on safe e-commerce transactions,develop online and alterative systems dispute resolutions.E-commerce Skills

163、 Development With a literacy rate at 93.7 per cent of the population,Zimbabwes human capital is one of the countrys main assets.However,only a small fraction of the population and MSMEs master productive digital skills.The education and training sector faces several challenges,unconnected and scarce

164、ly ICT-equipped schools and ICT-unskilled teachers.The Government is trying to reduce the skills mismatch and anticipate future labour market needs,through modernization of higher education(Education 5.0)and a new Technical Education and Vocational Training Policy.Current education and training prog

165、rammes partially support e-commerce,but there are shortages of programmes covering latest technologies and innovative digital applications,as well as logistics and delivery,processes of cross-border e-commerce,and management of online shops.Business support organizations are not well equipped to pro

166、vide services aligned to the needs of a thriving digital ecosystem.Public sector capacities are also weak as government agencies have limited knowledge when dealing with the complexities of e-commerce.Strengthen the integration of ICT skills in the education sector,in line with the Education Sector

167、Strategic Plan 2021-2025.Encourage education aimed at reducing the anticipated labour market skills mismatch,adopt a digital skills framework to guide digital skills development policy initiatives.Develop training that focuses on e-commerce and digital economy specialized areas,fostering partnership

168、s among national and international specialized institutions.Prepare a comprehensive digital entrepreneurship support scheme,e.g.,a Start-up Act,strengthen the capacities of business support organizations in providing more adequate facilities and services to the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem.Orga

169、nize training across government agencies and foreign services to better understand the market dynamics of domestic and cross-border e-commerce.Access to Financing Very limited access to financing is a major bottleneck for the private sector,loans to women,MSMEs and youth account for about 3 to 4 per

170、 cent of total banking sector loans.Most of Zimbabwean small-scale businesses are self-funded.Diaspora remittances are a key source of financing.MSMEs are constrained by various challenges,ranging from a costly business environment,complex fiscal and bureaucratic procedures,limited business and fina

171、ncial management skills to weak corporate governance.Even worse,digital businesses lack collaterals and credit history.Several initiatives have been undertaken with Government support,ranging from reforms establishing credit registry,a collaterals registry and credit guarantee scheme,as well as targ

172、eted products and financial institutions benefiting MSMEs and women entrepreneurs.Support the formalization of businesses,improve the macroeconomic and business environment.Strengthen the business managerial capacities of digital entrepreneurs,in particular youth and women-led businesses,to develop

173、sound business plans and applications for funding.Develop tailored coaching to MSMEs on how to make better use of the available credit reference instruments.Foster partnerships between banks/MFIs and business support institutions to develop alternative credit scoring schemes,train loan officers and

174、credit-granting institutions to better assess loan applications of digital businesses.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment12Main FindingsMain Recommendations Venture capital and alternative forms of financing are still marginal,while targeted financing options for start-ups and digital businesses re

175、main scarce.Establish a Digital Innovation Fund,combining grants and technical assistance.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment13Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment14Findings Under the Seven eTrade for All Policy Areas1.E-commerce Readiness Assessment and Strategy FormulationE-commerce in Zimbabwe i

176、s still at an early stage of development,with its main activities concentrated in major urban areas.Despite the acceleration in e-commerce uptake,triggered by the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic,the deterioration of the countrys macroeconomic conditions has heavily influenced the qual

177、ity of the business environment.An e-government development programme has gained limited traction,constrained by challenges in harmonizing multiple government systems.Although the Government has integrated the development of information and communications technologies(ICTs)and the digital economy in

178、 its national development agenda,a fully-fledged national e-commerce strategy is lacking.Initial steps towards policy coordination on e-commerce are ongoing but public-private dialogue remains focused on traditional sectors.The lack of a robust monitoring framework to assess market trends and measur

179、e the contribution of e-commerce to the national economy hinders evidence-based policy reforms.The development partners community can be further leveraged to build a supportive e-commerce policy environment.1.1 Recent developments of the countrys economyZimbabwe has experienced significant economic

180、turbulence in recent years.After recording negative real gross domestic product(GDP)rates in 2019-2020,the country has regained growth,fuelled by a vigorous post-pandemic recovery.From a peak real GDP growth rate of 8.5 per cent in 2021,the economy has been moving at a more moderate pace,6.5 per cen

181、t in 2022,and 5.3 per cent in 2023.Given the importance of the agricultural sector,variable weather patterns and natural disasters affect the countrys economic performance and social outlook.Challenges with debt sustainability and monetary instability keep Zimbabwes economic activity below its poten

182、tial.Total public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at US$17.7 billion as of end September 2023,which constitutes 81.3 per cent of GDP.This is above the Southern African Development Community(SADC)macroeconomic convergence target of 60 per cent of GDP and 70 per cent set by the Public Debt Manageme

183、nt Act(Chapter 22:21)of 2015.Moreover,the country has accumulated arrears on external debt since the year 2000.The Zimbabwean Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment15dollar suffered a severe depreciation,losing 521 per cent of its value against the US dollar over the year,contributing to hyperinflatio

184、n that peaked at 285 per cent in mid-2022.While 3-digit inflation has receded to 52.5 per cent in May 2024,inflationary pressures remain significant although volatile exchange rates have been temporarily tamed through the introduction of the new currency,the Zimbabwe Gold in April 2024(ZimStat,2024)

185、.To avoid the risks of holding a devalued currency,this has driven a shift toward cashless transactions,mainly via mobile money as a more reliable medium of exchange.The widespread use of the US dollar also helps stabilize transactions,offsetting the negative impact of high volatility of the nationa

186、l currency.Against this background,the Government of Zimbabwe is committed to restore macroeconomic stability and has charted an ambitious development vision.1.2 National policies related to digital transformation,ICT,e-commerce and related areasZimbabwe has developed a vision towards a prosperous u

187、pper middle-income nation by 2030 and laid the foundations for a vibrant and diversified economy.Vision 2030 emphasizes the creation of an open,efficient and effective business environment that fosters entrepreneurship,attracts higher flows of foreign direct investment(FDI),and ensures sustained val

188、ue addition and export-led growth.It recognizes the importance of a knowledge-based economy driven by development in ICT.ICT development is at the heart of the Vision 2030 infrastructure pillar as a key enabler for growth.The focus is on increasing investments,such as expanding the fibre optic backb

189、one and last mile connectivity,to achieve universal access by 2030.Improving the efficiency of public services by e-government systems integration and digital banking are also considered important levers.Vision 2030 also advocates for the development of a local industry to manufacture and assemble I

190、CT products and software.Although e-commerce is not specifically mentioned,these initiatives pave the way towards a healthy digital economy,as explicitly recognized in the National Development Strategy 1,covering the period 2021-2025(NDS1).NDS1 was developed in 2020 at a time when the COVID-19 pande

191、mic outbreak accelerated the uptake of digital solutions.Worldwide,this has been an eye-opener for policy makers to foster digital transformation and Zimbabwe was no exception.As a result,digital economy features as a prominent national priority and an economic growth enabler.The NDS1 builds on Visi

192、on 2030 and recognizes the need to give more impetus to the implementation of the National ICT Policy 2016-2020.It outlines in more concrete terms some lines of actions,focusing on access and usage of ICTs,investment promotion in the ICT sector,consumer satisfaction and protection of ICT users,incre

193、asing ICT literacy.NDS1 highlights for example include:Implementing a National ICT Device Factory,Building a national e-government architecture(data centre,interoperability framework and inter-connection of government systems,and a cyber-security strategy),Infrastructure-sharing among telecommunicat

194、ion companies,Providing incentives and implementing investor-friendly policies in the ICT sector,and Mainstreaming ICTs into the national curriculum and rolling out capacity development programmes.To operationalize and expand the orientations contained in NDS1,the President of Zimbabwe launched the

195、revised National ICT Policy 2022-2027,the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and the National Broadband Plan 2020-2030 in March 2024.The new policy landscape recognizes the dire need for scaling up efforts to improve access to connectivity and Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment16foster ICT adoption i

196、n various subsectors of the economy,by enabling smart solutions in various domains such as education,health,agriculture,mining,tourism,as well as e-commerce.This should result in more impetus to existing sectoral strategies to better leverage the potential of digital transformation towards trade-led

197、 growth.The National Agricultural Policy Framework 2019-2030 indicates that there is great scope for modernization and digitalization of extension services and supports the move towards digital platforms for delivering subsidized inputs.It also stresses the need for digitizing the entire agriculture

198、 value chain,including to improve service delivery,which can pave the way to a better integration of e-commerce into agribusiness.The Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy(2019-2023)provides a blueprint for industrialization which derives from Vision 2030,and recognizes that service indust

199、ries,tourism and the digital economy are going to acquire increasing importance in the future under the 4th Industrial Revolution.It also underscores the importance of preparing and positioning industry for global changes by adopting a deliberate shift towards a digital economy led by ICTs and the i

200、ncorporation of robotics in local industries.The Zimbabwe National Trade Policy 2019-2023 highlighted the need for a national e-commerce strategy to strengthen coordination among the different policy areas involved in e-commerce,streamline implementation among agencies,and set clear objectives.Stake

201、holders consulted during this assessment emphasized the lack of a comprehensive e-commerce framework,which is preventing the development of a level-playing field in the digital economy.The Zimbabwe National Export Strategy 2019-2023 also supports e-commerce,aiming to help exporters embrace it for ma

202、rketing and international sales,especially to developed markets.Additionally,Zimbabwe plans to engage 1 Communication to the General Council,13 July 2023(WT/COMTD/W/283#WT/GC/W/875/Rev.1)in multilateral and bilateral e-commerce initiatives to learn from successful countries.Zimbabwes participation i

203、n regional and international integration initiatives relevant to e-commerceAt the multilateral level,Zimbabwe stands with the African Group in calling for a revitalized World Trade Organization(WTO)Work Programme on Electronic Commerce,emphasizing a development-focused and inclusive approach that ad

204、dresses the complexities of e-commerce and considers the interests of developing countries.1 At the regional level,Zimbabwe is one of the founding members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa(COMESA)Free Trade Area.In its Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2021-2025,digital transformation ha

205、s a central role.The programme on Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT sector-EGEE-ICT-in the East and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean of which COMESA is the lead Regional Economic Community(REC),is expected to be the major vehicle on which the gaps in the regional harmoniz

206、ation and creation of an enabling environment will be achieved.Zimbabwe is also an active member of the SADC,the first African REC that developed a regional e-commerce strategy,and a set of model laws to harmonize the regional legal framework.Zimbabwe is implementing various initiatives in line with

207、 the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 20202030,such as creating e-certificates of origin and one-stop-border posts,establishing a Computer Emergency Response Team,migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial television,and implementing the SADC Roaming Project.Zimbabwe ratified

208、the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA)in 2019.Following extensive negotiations and industry consultations,the 37th African Union Heads of State Summit,held on Zimbabwe is actively involved in regional and international integration initiatives relevant to e-commerce.A national e-commerce str

209、ategy is needed to foster a level playing field and set clear trade objectives for e-commerce.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment1717-18 February 2024,adopted the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade(Box 1).The implementation of the Protocol will provide a meaningful roadmap for the development of e-co

210、mmerce in Zimbabwe,addressing crucial policy and legal aspects,with a focus on cross-border e-commerce.Box 1 AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in a nutshell 1.3 E-governmentZimbabwe ranks 138 out of 193 countries surveyed in the latest E-Government Development Index(EGDI)2022(Figure 2).This figure is

211、 above Africas average and with a value close to the one of landlocked developing countries,but far below regional leaders,such as Mauritius and South Africa in the upper middle-income group.This legal instrument aims to accelerate technology-driven innovation and commerce in Africa by promoting int

212、ra-African digital trade,enhancing cooperation on digital matters among State Parties,and creating a transparent,secure,and trusted digital trade ecosystem.The Protocol creates a standardized framework aimed at reducing trade barriers and fostering an interconnected continental marketplace.It covers

213、 all digital trade measures implemented or maintained by State Parties,defining digital trade as digitally-enabled transactions of goods and services.The Protocol addresses areas such as data governance,protection,cross-border flows,online consumer protection,cybersecurity,and emerging technologies,

214、including artificial intelligence.This is relevant for companies operating across various African jurisdictions,addressing challenges related to regulatory and commercial interoperability,compliance costs,and limited market access.The Protocol ensures market access for digital products and guarantee

215、s equal treatment for domestic and foreign digital services.It emphasizes the inclusion of underrepresented groups and micro,small,and medium enterprises(MSMEs)in the digital economy,acknowledging their role in innovation and growth.By focusing on data governance and consumer trust,the Protocol aims

216、 to create a transparent and secure digital trade ecosystem,addressing concerns of businesses and consumers.Additionally,it underscores the need for regulatory frameworks that promote digital literacy,innovation,and access to financial technologies,which are essential for leveraging the digital econ

217、omy for industrialization.The Protocol states that State Parties shall not impose customs duties on digital products transmitted electronically while respecting provisions on Rules of Origin(to be determined and adopted in a separate annex).It introduces measures to facilitate trade such as paperles

218、s trading,electronic contracts,invoicing,digital identities,and payments.It also acknowledges the need for cross-border data transfers by electronic means,subject to exceptions based on legitimate public policy objectives and security concerns,with further details to be provided in an annex which is

219、 still under negotiation.Source:UNCTAD,2024Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment18Figure 2 The EGDI value and its subcomponents in Zimbabwe and selected comparatorsSource:UNCTAD,based on EGDI(2022)The EGDI combines three dimensions,namely ICT development,online services delivery and human capital.Zim

220、babwe has a relatively well-developed human capital which is reflected in a high value in the Human Capital Index(0.6463).However,this only partially compensates for the less positive placements in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index value(0.3843)and Online Service Index value(0.3845).The cha

221、llenges in the telecommunications sectors are also reflected in the ICT Development Index score of 2023,developed by the International Telecommunication Union(ITU),combining indicators looking at various aspects of universal and meaningful connectivity.The score for Zimbabwe of 42.7 is below that fo

222、r Africa and other Landlocked Developing Countries(LLDCs),which stand at 47 and 58,respectively.ICT-related policies have furthered the development of e-government in Zimbabwe.From the inception of the Zimbabwe E-Government Framework and Implementation Strategy in 2010,e-government initiatives have

223、been led by the E-Government Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet(OPC),in close cooperation with the Ministry of Information Communication Technologies Postal and Courier Services(MICTPCS).The latter has made considerable efforts in equipping and connecting to the Internet ministries and

224、departments up to the district level.However,the integration of government platforms and systems remains a challenge.Most of the platforms were created separately and each entitys back-office systems mostly work in isolation.The World Bank Digital Economy Diagnostic Report of 2021(World Bank 2021)ha

225、s analysed the state of digital government platforms.It highlighted the“siloism”set-up under which various government departments are operating,which is not conducive to data sharing and collaboration.Efforts to centralize and harmonize government portals have been made through the creation of a uni

226、fied government portal(zim.gov.zw).The connection of ministries platforms is led by the Government Internet Service Provider(GISP)established by the OPC,but oversight functions and upgrading are constrained by insufficient financial resources.As a result,maintenance Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessm

227、ent19is intermittent and compliance with standards and guidelines for content management are difficult to monitor.To ensure continuity of services,government officials mostly use personal email addresses and institutional social media accounts tend to provide more updated information than official w

228、ebsites.NDS1 has prioritized the development of national e-government architecture,including an interoperability and inter-connectivity framework for various government systems.ZimConnect is the one-stop shop for e-services delivery.Registered users have access to several e-services,ranging from a n

229、umber of licenses and permits for investor applications,land and mining,deeds search,companies name search and registration,among others.Applications for eVisas,drivers license,passports and payments of taxes are also possible via related websites of the responsible ministry or agency.Other governme

230、nt agencies have also embraced digitalization.For example,the Judicial Service Commission has recently introduced the Integrated Electronic Case Management System(IECMS),in line with the concept of e-court,which involves filing of cases electronically,automatic case allocation to judicial officers,e

231、lectronic case tracking and management from filing to finalization and virtual hearings.Further efforts are needed to revamp the ZimConnect portal,expand outreach,better centralize e-services and reinforce interconnection among various government departments to streamline access to a larger set of e

232、-services.However,these efforts may be limited by ongoing connectivity issues,which hinder the growth of e-government and e-commerce in Zimbabwe,as reflected in UNCTAD survey results(Figure 1).1.4 Policy coordination and public private dialogueMainstreaming e-commerce into national development agend

233、as is a relatively new public policy objective in developing countries,but it is becoming increasingly prominent in policy making.About half of the respondents to the UNCTAD survey have recognized the maturity of high-level political support for the development of e-commerce and policy coordination

234、among institutions(Figure 1).E-commerce development in Zimbabwe is still in its early stages,lacking a national strategy and cohesive institutional coordination.While there has been a focus on ICT infrastructure development,and more recently on the digital economy,mainly led by the MICTPS and Postal

235、 and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe(POTRAZ),there is no shared understanding of e-commerce based on international standards and definitions(Box 2)as per the results of the multi-stakeholder consultations undertaken during this assessment.Many perceive e-commerce through social m

236、edia and subjective views,which risks undermining national policy discussions.To improve,Zimbabwe should prioritize raising awareness across government departments and establishing a unified national vision for an inclusive e-commerce ecosystem.Better connectivity and integration of government platf

237、orms and systems are essential to improve the delivery of e-services.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment20Box 2 Defining e-commerce in an international context 2 As well as sales over the Internet,this includes orders placed over private networks,such as those used to manage supply chains in certai

238、n industries.It excludes orders placed by phone,fax,or manually typed emails because although these may be made over the Internet,they are not via methods specifically designed for the placing and receiving of orders.By leading this assessment,the Ministry of Industry and Commerce(MIC)has taken a bo

239、ld step towards laying the foundations for the development of an e-commerce policy development agenda.2The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Department has taken the operational responsibility of stakeholder mobilization.To do so,it has first convened a core working group of ministries and public sector

240、 agencies to facilitate communication and outreach.Going forward,this might evolve into an inter-ministerial committee,There is no single universal definition of e-commerce.As a result,various formulations have been developed and used by governments,businesses and civil society.The blurred lines of

241、the digital economy do not help to develop a single and comprehensive definition that can be universally and unambiguously used.One of the first definitions most relevant in the international context was the one developed by the WTO for the Work Program on Electronic Commerce in 1998,which refers to

242、“the production,distribution,marketing,sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means”.A narrower definition was later developed for measurement purposes by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)and used since 2009 defining e-commerce as“the sale or purchase of

243、goods or services,conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders.2 The goods or services are ordered by those methods,but the payment and the ultimate delivery of the goods or services do not have to be conducted online.”While e-co

244、mmerce ordering is often accompanied by online payment,this is not a defining feature of it;orders placed online but paid for on delivery,on collection,or at any other time,by card,cash,or any other means all count as e-commerce transactions.Any good or service can be ordered via e-commerce,and so e

245、-commerce is not a“sector”in its own right,but cuts across all industries and products.Additionally,an e-commerce transaction can be between enterprises,households,individuals,governments,and other public or private organizations.The Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade(IMF,OECD,UNCTAD,WTO,2023)defin

246、es digital trade as“all international trade that is digitally ordered and/or digitally delivered.”It thereby combines two defining characteristics:digital ordering and digital delivery,recognizing the multidimensional nature of digital trade and the potential overlap between digitally ordered and di

247、gitally delivered transactions.Digitally ordered trade refers to“the international sale or purchase of a good or service,conducted over computer networks using methods specifically designed for the purpose of placing or receiving orders,”thereby closely aligning with the OECDs e-commerce definition

248、but with a focus only on international transactions.Digitally-delivered trade,which covers services exclusively,encompasses“all international trade transactions delivered remotely over computer networks.”The two criteria of digital ordering and digital delivery inherently fit within the WTOs definit

249、ion.A variety of business models have evolved that do not necessarily fit within these definitions.For example,commercial transactions that occur over or are facilitated by classified ads platforms or online messaging apps,without any features specifically designed for the purpose of placing or rece

250、iving orders(e.g.a shopping cart or“buy it now”incorporated option).These are often a central component of the digital ecosystem in developing countries and have been labelled as mobile commerce or social commerce.While such transactions may not strictly fall within the formal definitions described

251、above,they can be considered as enablers for digital transformation and an entry point towards developing formal e-commerce and digital trade.Source:UNCTAD,2024Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment21which could be instrumental in implementing the recommendations of the assessment.To properly establis

252、h itself as a lead ministry in the e-commerce domain and be able to steer the work of the said committee,it would be useful to repurpose existing structures or establish a dedicated unit within MIC.This should be staffed and empowered to oversee developments in the e-commerce ecosystem and effective

253、ly interface with various stakeholders.Also,it will be crucial to ensure high-level leadership and coherence with other close structures.For example,the National ICT Policy 2022-2027 foresees the establishment of a National ICT Policy Advisory Council.Similarly,an Interagency Fintech Working Group w

254、as established,led by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe(RBZ).Public-private dialogue on business reforms is not unchartered territory in Zimbabwe,but it is a relatively new concept in the area of e-commerce.Zimbabwe can count on a relatively well-structured private representation from a number of leading

255、 membership-based organizations(Table 1).In addition,there are various organizations of different sizes and with a more sectoral and geographical focus.There are also organizations that advocate for inclusivity,and in particular the economic empowerment of women,youth entrepreneurship and inclusion

256、of people with disabilities.Table 1 Main national business organizations in ZimbabweOrganizationMain activitiesConfederation of Zimbabwe Industries(CZI)CZI is the largest organization with members from the manufacturing as well as trade,transport,ICT,education and professional services,making up 36

257、sub-sectors of the Zimbabwean economy.It boasts a wide range of industry-related research,business intelligence and networking programmes that enable CZI to be a key player in policy dialogue.Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce(ZNCC)With offices in Harare and Bulawayo,as well as Gweru,Livingstone(

258、Victoria Falls),Masvingo and Mutare,ZNCC provides business development services to its members and through advocacy activities it provides a channel of communication between businesses and the various authorities in Zimbabwe.ZNCC has also partnered with the United Nations Economic Commission for Afr

259、ica(UNECA)to enhance business knowledge of the trade opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.SME Association of Zimbabwe(SMEAZ)SMEAZs mandate is to help start-ups and SMEs to grow in scale.It provides marketing and business development services,including an online business directory and a marketplace.SM

260、EAZ also offers an“Escrow Service”,which is described as a facility to protect buyers,as well as ensure payment to sellers,through the provision of an intermediary-known as the Escrow Agent-who ensures that goods or services are delivered as specified by the seller,prior to the buyers money being re

261、leased to the seller.Source:UNCTAD,2024Despite an articulated network of business support organizations,their involvement in digital-related issues remains,at varying degrees,relatively marginal.The capacity to develop policy-relevant inputs and positions in the digital economy is rather weak.With t

262、he exception of the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zimbabwe(ICTAZ),the focus of existing business membership organizations is more on traditional sectors of Zimbabwes economy.ICTAZ is involved in various activities,with specific focus on fostering digital literacy.However,it

263、s capacity to carry out policy-oriented research and engage in advocacy in the area of e-commerce is limited.Stakeholders consulted during this assessment have pointed out the importance of having a better structured and more inclusive representation of the interests of businesses engaging in variou

264、s e-commerce activities.The creation of a public-private sector engagement framework on e-commerce with government support,would encourage business organizations to Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment22re-focus their activities.For example,this would include by joining forces towards building poles

265、 of expertise(e.g.,a policy research unit)around the regulatory aspects of the digital economy and other policy implications in a fast-evolving environment driven by technological innovation.1.5 Production of and access to relevant statisticsInformation and data on the dimension and characteristics

266、of Zimbabwes e-commerce activities are scarce.As mentioned above,the challenges in identifying and defining e-commerce make it difficult for organizations that produce data to consistently track and monitor e-commerce activities.The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency(ZimStat)and POTRAZ are leading

267、some notable efforts.In 2020,they carried out the ICT Access by Households&Use by Individuals Survey,based on ITU methodology.The survey,the third of this kind(carried out in 2010 and 2014),while not covering e-commerce per-se,provided useful information on the habits of Internet users purchasing go

268、ods and services online.In early 2024,the two institutions went further and launched the ICT Access and Use by Businesses Survey.It covers areas such as Internet utilization,e-commerce activities,and expenditure on ICT equipment and services.These kinds of surveys will help provide more granular inf

269、ormation from a business perspective.Going forward,these efforts should be pursued and data collection should rely on internationally agreed methods.For example,the Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade(IMF,OECD,UNCTAD,WTO,2023)focuses on measuring trade in goods and services that are digitally ordere

270、d/digitally delivered in a way that is internationally comparable,and considers the role of digital intermediation platforms.The limited availability of timely,robust,and comparable statistics makes it difficult for policymakers to establish benchmarks and monitor progress in their transformation to

271、 a digital economy and engagement in digital trade,to guide digital economy policy that works for development.In order to build its capacity to produce national official statistics on e-commerce and the digital economy,Zimbabwe has an interest in deepening engagement in the context of the Working Gr

272、oup on Measuring E-commerce and the Digital Economy.In the third meeting of the Working Group in November 2022,Zimbabwe highlighted that the COVID-19 crisis increased the share of e-commerce in total retail trade,although this was not recorded in official statistics.Budgetary challenges have hampere

273、d efforts to produce them.However,a concerted effort to be led by ZimStat is needed to integrate the new functions,tools and skills required to produce statistics in this area,which can be supported by development partners.1.6 E-commerce activity and opportunities E-commerce activity in Zimbabwe is

274、at an early stage of development,mainly concentrated in major urban areas and the informal economy.The 2020 ICT Access by Households&Use by Individuals Survey highlighted for example that during the surveyed period:3.8 per cent of the sampled population used the Internet to buy or order goods or ser

275、vices;42 per cent of those buying online paid cash on delivery;41 per cent of those buying online collected their deliveries from a pick-up or service point;and No interest,preference to shop in persons,lack of skills,knowledge or confidence were cited as the main barriers from those that used the I

276、nternet but did not shop online.Overall,e-commerce concerns only 2.5 per cent of the population(Findex 2021).The limited e-commerce penetration in rural regions can be attributed to factors Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment23such as lower labour force participation,3 inadequate infrastructure,and

277、 restricted internet access,which collectively hinder the growth of e-commerce outside urban centres,mainly Harare and Bulawayo.The share of people shopping online is more than four times higher in urban areas than in rural areas.Conversely,the gender disparity in e-commerce participation is relativ

278、ely minor(Figure 3).Zimbabwe has 3 Labor force participation rate for persons in urban areas was at 62.7 per cent,while for persons in rural areas it was 36.4 per cent in 2023,according to a ZimStat labour force survey(Q4 2023).made good progress in promoting womens economic empowerment,but the over

279、all participation of women in the economy remains significantly lower than men.The employment to population ratio,that is the proportion of working age population in employment,stands at 46.9 per cent for males and 28 per cent for females.Figure 3 Share of the population that used a mobile phone or

280、the Internet to buy something online(in percentage)Source:UNCTAD,based on Findex(2021)Furthermore,e-commerce is largely informal and reflects the structure of the Zimbabwean economy,characterized by a significant share of informality.According to several sources,the informal sector in Zimbabwe is on

281、e of the largest in the world,accounting for approximately two thirds of the Zimbabwean economy(ZNCC,2023).Informally employed persons were 86.8 percent of all employed persons in 2023,as per ZimStat figures.Over the last few years,entrepreneurial initiatives have led to the creation of online store

282、s and marketplaces.An International Trade Centre study(ITC,2023)has found that 85 per cent of the businesses surveyed have no online presence through a dedicated website,only 12 per cent of small and medium enterprises(SMEs)have one compared to 91 per cent of large firms.Financial constraints discou

283、rage businesses from building a sustainable presence in the digital space.E-commerce activities have evolved without an adequate legal framework and many operators have ventured into social media marketing.No central repository exists to keep track of players active in the market.Zimbabwe might cons

284、ider establishing an observatory to monitor market trends and keep track of the activities of market operators.Over time,this observatory might provide the foundations to establish a trust labelling system that can be used to ensure adherence to minimum quality and consumer protection standards by e

285、-commerce businesses.Only 12%of SMEs have a website compared to 91%of large firms.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment24Some useful information on e-commerce in Zimbabwe can be found via online aggregators,such as ShopRank,and specialized news outlets,such as TechZim,which includes a section on e-co

286、mmerce market updates.Additionally,e-payments platforms,such as Paynow,report that only a limited number of companies are engaged in e-commerce,with many of the most notable ones connected to foreign operators.Paynow also reports that a significant portion of transactions is conducted by individuals

287、 outside Zimbabwe,highlighting the important role of the diaspora in contributing to the growth of e-commerce in Zimbabwe.According to UNCTADs consumer survey(Figure 4),payment of bills(telephone,Internet,electricity,water),along with subscriptions and tuition fees,are the most common online transac

288、tions.Textile and clothing,food,and household appliances are the most popular products sold online.Hotel,restaurant,and other hospitality services,transport and tourism,sports,entertainment,arts,and culture contribute to diversify the e-commerce consumption basket.Jewellery and accessories,beauty an

289、d personal care,furniture and home decoration,handicrafts are relatively niche markets.Government or administrative services,as well as medical services remain rather marginal,indicating significant potential for growth in these areas.Figure 4 Products and services most purchased by consumers via e-

290、commerceWhat types of products and services do you buy online?(Consumers survey,52 responses)Source:UNCTAD,2024Several well-known online shops in Zimbabwe gained popularity during COVID-19,particularly those focused on food delivery.Examples include Fresh in a box which specializes in fresh produce

291、delivery and ShopExpresszw which offers a wider range of fresh products and staples.Mukuru Groceries,originally a popular remittance provider,has evolved into a service for South African-based customers,primarily from the Zimbabwean diaspora,for sending groceries to their families back home.Similarl

292、y,the Malaicha platform,although it is not based in Zimbabwe,allows customers to select shops Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment25in Zimbabwe for buying goods and sending deliveries.In 2023,new start-up businesses entered this lucrative market,such as Kambudzi.OK Zimbabwe,a leading supermarket ret

293、ailer,provides a diverse range of products,including groceries,houseware products,and basic clothing and textiles.Everything Zimbabwean Union Hardware,Zimall,Zim Megastore,Daily Sale Shop,are all mall-type marketplaces with a focus on groceries,as well as ICT goods and houseware,sport and leisure eq

294、uipment.Stakeholders consulted have emphasized that users of e-commerce services are often confronted with some issues in business-to-consumer(B2C)transactions.For example:i.when businesses selling online have also a physical store,they do not often provide incentives to use the online channel.As a

295、result,the online channel remains more a visibility feature than a convenient transactional option;ii.some sellers accept orders without having items in stock,leading them to search for suppliers.This can result in delays and unpredictable outcomes in the transaction follow-up;andiii.when merchants

296、sell goods,they do not necessarily take responsibility for the whole transaction,shifting the liability to the logistics service provider or other party in the value chain.As a result,if issues occur during the delivery of the parcel,merchants might refuse to address consumer complaints.In addition

297、to the private sector,there are also Government-backed initiatives supporting B2C e-commerce.Leveraging the vast reach of the postal network,Zimpost has established a national e-commerce marketplace,Zimbabwemall(see Box 4),integrating payments and delivery logistics by individuals,and businesses,lin

298、king local,regional and international markets.ZimTrade,the trade promotion agency of Zimbabwe,has also established a B2B platform,ShopZim,to promote e-commerce exports and has partnered with the Tanners Footwear and Leather Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe to explore venues for promoting trade

299、of Made in Zimbabwe leather products via e-commerce.The latter has also established a partnership with AfriVend,a Zimbabwean e-commerce marketplace specialized in diaspora and international e-commerce sales.In the area of services,some companies offer online graphics and web design services that can

300、 be bought online(e.g.Syrup Web Services).There are also some opportunities for paying utility bills and local taxes,as well as for telecommunication services(e.g.data bundles or subscriptions)and travel packages,among others.Classified ads websites such as ZimCart also provide a meeting platform to

301、 facilitate offline transactions.As transactional platforms are increasingly used,online classified ads appear to be losing popularity but still have the lions share,as 68 per cent of online marketplaces in Africa surveyed by ITC are classified ads(ITC 2020).An e-commerce policy,with an institutiona

302、l and business support framework is gradually emerging in Zimbabwe but requires strategic vision to streamline and better articulate ongoing and future stakeholders initiatives.In this regard,development partners could play a more important role.Development assistance has stagnated in recent years,p

303、rimarily due to the countrys deteriorating macroeconomic conditions,resulting in limited focus on enhancing e-commerce and digital economy capabilities.The 2022-2026 Zimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework(ZUNSDCF)is aligned to NDS1.The development of a digital economy

304、features prominently under the“prosperity”pillar,where the UN system recognizes its potential,including e-commerce,to contribute to sustainable economic growth with decent employment opportunities.The implementation of the ZUNSDCF under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator Office,is a good

305、starting point to call for greater coordination support and harmonize initiatives of development partners aimed at enhancing the readiness of Zimbabwe to engage in,and benefit from,e-commerce.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment262.ICT Infrastructure and ServicesImproving access to Internet connecti

306、vity,in terms of affordability,coverage and quality is a key priority for enhancing the countrys readiness to engage in,and benefit from,e-commerce.Despite reforms to boost the ICT sector competitiveness,the market remains highly concentrated and requires updated regulation,greater competition,and p

307、ublic-private cooperation to reduce the wide urban-rural digital divide and provide more affordable Internet access.Macroeconomic conditions have hampered investments in ICT infrastructure,including more efficient data centres and IXPs,as well as a better structured cybersecurity response capacity.T

308、he level of under-investments has been exacerbated by issues such as vandalism,limited sharing of infrastructures and duplication of public works,power outages,fiscal measures and administrative red tape.While gradually reducing,the country also suffers from a gap in electricity generation capacity.

309、As a result,Zimbabwe is one of the most expensive markets in the world for broadband connectivity and lacks a competitive cluster of specialized ICT service providers.4 While latest available on mobile phone ownership are for 2023,data on smartphone ownership refer to 2020.See:https:/datahub.itu.int

310、/data/?e=ZWE&i=28318(last access March 3,2025).2.1 Overview of the ICT sectorThe structure of the ICT sector in Zimbabwe today originates from the Post and Telecommunications Act,(Chapter 12:05),in force since 2000 and its subsequent modifications.MICTPCS spearheads the development of appropriate po

311、licy and regulatory frameworks,as well as infrastructure and capacity development that facilitate the promotion of ICT,telecommunications,postal and courier services.POTRAZ is Zimbabwes regulatory authority for the postal and telecommunications sector.Among its main attributions,POTRAZ manages licen

312、sing and regulatory functions,sets standards and codes,promotes the interests of consumers and other users in respect of the quality and variety of postal and telecommunication services provided.It also has the responsibility to maintain and promote effective competition and to monitor prices to eli

313、minate unfair business practices among licensed service providers.It also encourages the expansion of postal and telecommunication services and technology upgrades.On the demand side,mobile phone ownership in Zimbabwe stands at 60.7 per cent of the population with only 25.6 per cent owning a smartph

314、one.There is a significant urban-rural divide,with 46 per cent among urban area smartphone ownership compared to just 14.5 per cent in rural areas(ITU DataHub).4 The ICT market in Zimbabwe is dominated by mobile broadband connectivity,at a level above the averages in Africa and LLDCs.According to th

315、e latest data from a quarterly POTRAZ report(Q4 2023),the mobile subscriptions penetration rate has reached Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment2797.7 per cent,although it is important to note that a portion of the population might have multiple subscriptions.Globally,the use of fixed-telephone,and

316、fixed-broadband in particular,has receded and this trend is even more pronounced in Africa,5 Data for aggregates-Africa,LLDCs and World-are for 2024,derived from ITUs publication“Measuring digital development:Facts and Figures 2024”.ITU data for Zimbabwe refer to 2023 and are derived from ITU DataHu

317、b https:/datahub.itu.int/data/?e=ZWE&c=701&Connectivity=Access(last access March 3,2025).including Zimbabwe.Overall,the Internet penetration rate in Zimbabwe,defined as the proportion of individuals who used the Internet from any location in the last three months,either via a fixed or mobile network

318、,stands at 38.4 per cent(Figure 5).Figure 5 Selected connectivity indicators in Zimbabwe and aggregates(In percentages,and by group aggregates)Source:UNCTAD,based on ITU(2024)5On the supply side,the market share of mobile telecommunication services is highly concentrated,with one private operator,Ec

319、onet,serving approximately 80 per cent of voice,Internet and data traffic.A second major operator,Netone,covers most of the remaining share,and Telecel serves a residual 1 to 2 per cent of the market,both of them State-owned.Africom and Liquid Intelligent Technologies(a subsidiary of Econet)have the

320、 lions share of the fixed-telephony broadband market,together with a handful of other operators,such as TelOne(State-owned),Dandemutande,Powertel,and Telecontract.The legal framework derived from the Post and Telecommunications Act of 2000 has been instrumental in opening the sector to non-state-own

321、ed telecom operators.Zimbabwe would benefit from reviewing and expanding the regulatory framework,to make it more supportive of competition and innovation,to foster an open digital economy and cross-border integration.POTRAZ developed a converged licensing framework in 2021 to lower entry barriers a

322、nd stimulate more competitive forces and improve service delivery,but this has not yet translated into major telluric shifts in the overall sector configuration and functioning.Stakeholders consulted The mobile telecom market is highly concentrated:one operator accounts for 80%of voice,Internet and

323、data traffic.Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment28during this assessment have highlighted several issues limiting investments in the sector,that increase operating costs and impact quality of service delivery,such as:i.ICT inputs(equipment,capital)are heavily externally sourced,hence significantly

324、affected by foreign exchange fluctuations and restrictions;ii.low uptake of local ICT services applications in government procurement iii.recurrent vandalism,theft of equipment and installations;iv.limited infrastructure-sharing,duplication and redundancy in public works;v.electricity costs and unst

325、able power supply;vi.fiscal burden applied to ICT operators and consumers;vii.lengthy and bureaucratic processes,absence of a one-stop shop for approvals for infrastructure deployment;and viii.lack of a holistic approach to coordination,with duplication among regulatory agencies.The above challenges

326、 constrain the ability of the ICT sector to contribute to the emergence of a vibrant domestic e-commerce ecosystem.The revised National ICT Policy 2022-2027,the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and the National Broadband Plan 2020-2030 outline the roadmap for the development of the ICT sector.A coord

327、inated implementation of these various policy tools will provide a good foundation to address some of the structural challenges affecting the Zimbabwe ICT sector.2.2 Connectivity infrastructures and Internet penetrationThe structure of the ICT sector in Zimbabwe today originates from the Post and Te

328、lecommunications Act,(Chapter 12:05),in force since 2000 and its subsequent modifications.MICTPCS spearheads the development of appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks,as well as infrastructure and capacity development that facilitate the promotion of ICT,telecommunications,postal and courier s

329、ervices.POTRAZ is Zimbabwes regulatory authority for the postal and telecommunications sector.Figure 6 Zimbabwes fibre backbone network Source:POTRAZ,2022Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessment29The gap analysis presented in the National Broadband Plan highlights the need to upgrade the infrastructure,

330、for example by investing in laying underground cables,to reduce the vulnerability of overhead wires.In March 2024,the second phase of a major infrastructure project was inaugurated to enhance the inter-city network from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls via Bulawayo,up to Harare.Built underground along t

331、he railway line,the new 1,500 km long-haul leg built by Dark Fibre Africa Zimbabwe is ready for commercial deployment and promises benefits in terms of increased data traffic capacity,improved reliability(less redundancy and lower latency),as well as scalability.Improving broadband speeds will requi

332、re effective management of rights of way and the adoption of a Dig Once policy,to avoid duplication of civil works,for example when cables are laid along transport infrastructures and need to be refurbished or expanded.To streamline bandwidth capacity and data traffic,efforts could be made to better

333、 use some critical infrastructure,such as Internet exchange points(IXPs)and data centres.There are two main functional IXPs,of which one is owned by private Internet service providers.The Government has recognized the value of converging into the regional SADC IXP,the Harare Internet Exchange,to keep Internet traffic generated in the region within the region.In the same vein,the country has limite