Describes how widely e-Commerce is used, the primary sectors that sell through e-commerce, and how much product/service in each sector is sold through e-commerce versus brick-and-mortar retail. Includes what a company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce in the local market and , reputable, prominent B2B websites.
Last Published: 7/12/2019

Overview

The eCommerce market in Bolivia is still relatively small.  Currently, the aviation industry within Bolivia is using eCommerce to reach customers looking to book flight reservations, but the overall eCommerce market is growing slowly.  Banking or financial inclusion is giving impetus to eCommerce in Bolivia.  As a result, there isgreat growth potential in this sector. In 2018, 42% had an account in a bank, but only 6% had a credit card and 0.9% made purchases over the internet. 
 

Current Market Trends

The Bolivian Telecommunications Law (Law 164, Chapter IV), approved on August 8, 2011, includes four articles on the offer of goods and services, validity of e-contracts, value determination, and controversies.  To view the law, see: Ley N 164
Bolivia has yet to improve regulation through rules or other controls on the operations of eCommerce.  Bolivia's internet connectivity also requires substantial improvement.  The government has prioritized the extension of the telecommunications network to rural areas, as coverage is still unreliable in many locations.  The government hopes to address the problem with its new satellite to provide Wi-Fi internet to rural areas and investment in rural telecenters, which are expected to become hubs of a local communications network.  The government has implemented a program of "coverage for all," but the program has faced several setbacks.  Although internet access in many areas is still limited due to a lack of bandwidth, the number of Bolivians with internet access has increased, most of them through the use of smartphones.  The Telecommunications Law and general Commercial Code serve as the legal framework for electronic commerce, but the lack of implementing regulations leaves many rules open to interpretation.

The ADSIB (Agencia para el Desarrollo de la Sociedad de la Información en Bolivia) was created by Supreme Decree 26553 on March 19, 2002 as a public institution under the direction of the Vice Presidency of Bolivia.  ADSIB is in charge of formulation and implementation of policies and actions aimed at reducing the digital gap in Bolivia, through distribution of information and communication technology.  It is also the administrator of the ".BO" domain.

The Bolivian government issued Supreme Decree 2514 on September 9, 2015.  The Decree reorganized the management of all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and electronic governance related issues within the government by creating the Agency for Electronic Government Information and Communications Technology (AGETIC), an autonomous institution which is controlled by the Ministry of the Presidency.  The AGETIC will coordinate the implementation of ICT and electronic government policies, develop electronic governance programs, implement ICT technologies, and simplify procedures.  This rearrangement supersedes all former government efforts on ICT and cyber security.  AGETIC has also prioritized the promotion of electronic commerce in Bolivia.
 

Domestic eCommerce (B2C)

Domestic eCommerce is currently being utilized primarily for air transport.  Customers are able to make flight reservations and purchase tickets through websites for both Boliviana de Aviacion and Amaszonas.   
 

Social Media

Many young Bolivians use the Internet to access Facebook.  Facebook had 6.1 million Bolivian users as of December 2017, a 54.4 percent penetration rate.

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