The ecomConnect
programme

The ecomConnect programme is seeking to develop small business digital capabilities and improve e-commerce accessibility in developing and least developed countries for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The ecomConnect programme is part of the International Trade Centre (ITC) – the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

The programme’s goal is to drive the digital inclusion of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and offer them favourable conditions for online trading. The programme supports MSMEs in developing and least developed countries in their journey to sell online through its tailored online and face-to-face learning program, project-related technical assistance and field support, and digital tools, backed by research and innovative solutions, collaborative structures, and partnerships.

The ecomConnect programme is actively supported by several private sector partners who provide favourable rates and access to their e-commerce platforms and services, support promotional initiatives, and contribute to the e-commerce training and capacity-building methodology of the programme.

How we
Support
Companies

Advisory and research services

To support small businesses with their e-commerce development and expansion and resolve specific barriers, notably to access payment solutions, logistics services and e-commerce services.

Online and face-to-face training

Market research
Brand Positioning
Digital content creation
eStore development
Online payment solutions
Packaging
Shipping and Logistics
Digital Promotion
Customer Relationship Management

Partnership with private sector

To provide key support to small businesses and enable them to share costs and access services essential to e-commerce

Promotional events

To connect e-commerce businesses to international customers through online campaigns, trade fairs and exhibitions.

Innovative tools and software

Cost Calculator to help companies understand the costs of selling online

Readiness Quiz to rapidly assess the level of e-commerce readiness

Africa Marketplace Explorer to find out more about B2C marketplaces in Africa

our projects

E-commerce for Women-led Businesses

Under the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), the ecomConnect team at the International Trade Centre (ITC) implemented the E-commerce for Women-led Businesses project in Lebanon and Tunisia to support women-led small businesses to access new markets through e-commerce platforms and improve their e-commerce related business environment and infrastructure.

Partners:

Location

Global, MENA, Lebanon, Tunisia

ecomConnect for SheTrades Commonwealth

The programme aims to increase the participation of women-owned businesses in trade in order to increase economic growth and job creation in Commonwealth countries. The International Trade Centre's ecomConnect team has coached small businesses, ranging from the information technology (IT) and tourism sectors to online retailers, to improve their websites, social media accounts and overall visibility on search engines.

Location

Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nigeria

Funded By

The UK Department for International Development

Partners:

Location

Mauritius, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia

https://intracen.org/our-work/projects/shetrades-commonwealth

Ready4Trade Central Asia

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC). It aims to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. The e-commerce component supports 200 small businesses and artisans with capacity building, advisory services and awareness raising activities to support them to trade internationally and intra-regionally through online channels.

Partners:

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Location

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

https://www.intracen.org/ready4trade

Women and E-Commerce

This project Linking Central American Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) with the Global Gifts and Home Decoration Market aims to improve the export performance of women-led-enterprises from Central America to sell online. The project beneficiaries are 200 women-led-companies involved in the sale and export of handicrafts for the gift and home decoration industries. Alongside work to improve product quality and design, the women-led businesses are trained and prepared to list on international online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay, develop and optimize their own websites, use different digital marketing channels to generate traffic and sales, receive online payments, prepare orders for shipment and provide quality customer service.