ecomConnect Programme: Empowering businesses through e-commerce

    Overview

    Summary

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

     

    This ITC e-commerce programme equips business support organizations and partners with private and public organizations to develop small business digital capabilities and improve e-commerce accessibility in developing countries. It offers activities and interactions at the enterprise, ecosystem and policy and institutional levels and:  

     

    • Tailored online and face-to-face training on how to undertake market research, develop an e-commerce pricing strategy, create digital content, handle online payments, manage inventory, prepare for shipment and customs clearance as well as promote products and services through digital channels.  

     

    • 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.  

     

    • Partnerships with private sector firms to provide key support to small businesses and enable them to share costs and other services essential to e-commerce.  

     

    • Innovative tools and customized software solutions to help with the digitization of product catalogues, the assessment of a company's e-commerce readiness and the development of an e-commerce pricing strategy. To access the tools, click here

     

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

    Projects

    Success stories

    The fact that a team of professionals with such dedication helped me make my own website is the best gift that I could have received. I couldn't have done it alone. Having been prepared to sell online in 2020 has made sales possible since the beginning of the pandemic. And it continues to be like that.
    Rebeca Zamora
    The fact that a team of professionals with such dedication helped me make my own website is the best gift that I could have received. I couldn't have done it alone. Having been prepared to sell online in 2020 has made sales possible since the beginning of the pandemic. And it continues to be like that.
    Rebeca Zamora
    Founder of Gato Negro, Costa Rica, and beneficiary of our e-commerce project in Central America
    The marketing and branding module of the ecomConnect Programme has been a great learning curve for us. It has taught us the value of building and communicating our brand personality with our clients so they can better connect with our products and share the same passion for our brand like we do
    Monica Nana
    The marketing and branding module of the ecomConnect Programme has been a great learning curve for us. It has taught us the value of building and communicating our brand personality with our clients so they can better connect with our products and share the same passion for our brand like we do
    Monica Nana
    Founder of Chocoluv, Ghana, and beneficiary of our GreenToCompete e-commerce project in Ghana
    This is a great programme for Central Asian producers, which offers comprehensive e-commerce learning and practical insights. We appreciate the significant opportunities the program gives to expand our cross-border sales. Gulnor Art received tailored support from national and international experts and listed successfully on eBay
    Dilshod Kodirov
    This is a great programme for Central Asian producers, which offers comprehensive e-commerce learning and practical insights. We appreciate the significant opportunities the program gives to expand our cross-border sales. Gulnor Art received tailored support from national and international experts and listed successfully on eBay
    Dilshod Kodirov
    Founder of Gulnor Art and beneficiary of our e-commerce project in Central Asia

    E-learning courses

    This course provides participants with an overall introduction to the concept and practice of e-commerce. It also includes an "e-commerce readiness check" which will allow participants to gauge their level of preparation to start selling products or services online through an e-commerce channel.

    For more click here.

    This course introduces SMEs to the importance of creating quality e-commerce content for their online initiatives, presenting them with useful guidelines for content creation, both for individual products as well as for companies as a whole. It is also available in Spanish.

    For more click here.

    This course introduces participants to virtual marketplaces (VMPs), which are a type of e-commerce website on which individual businesses can sell their products or services internationally.

    For more click here.

    This course introduces participants to the opportunities and challenges of becoming involved in B2B e-commerce. Finally, it concludes with a look at digital marketing and website optimization, with the goal of providing participants with tools to make their B2B e-commerce operations as effective as they can be. This course is also available in  Arabic.

    For more click here.

    This joint course by ITC and Diplo Foundation is designed to help participants better understand the multifaceted concept of e-commerce, the opportunities it offers to SMEs, and the steps necessary to create an enabling environment allowing for a greater uptake of e-commerce by both businesses and consumers.

    For more click here.

    Resources

    ITC contact

    ecomConnect Programme
    Email
    ecomconnect [at] intracen.org