Tap Into Latin America’s High-Growth Potential

Bolivia's eCommerce market is small but aiming to grow along with over 7.5 million internet users. With a population of 11.59 million, 51% hold a bank account with a financial institution, but only 7,2% of them have a credit card, and yet 9% have made online purchases.

Digitally advanced and with a wide range of online consumers, Brazil is the birthplace of successful real-time payments in Latin America.

In recent years Chile has shown impressive economic growth, directly impacting the business opportunities in the country.

Colombia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to steadily grow 1.8% in 2024, proving that Colombia can represent excellent opportunities for eCommerce in Latin America*.

*Source: OECD, 2023

Costa Rica With a population of 5 million and over 1 million eShoppers, Costa Rica has an eCommerce market of $2.3B. Cross border transactions account for 77% of the eCommerce volume. Although eCommerce is projected to shrink 22% in 2020 due to the current pandemic, it is expected to recover in 2021 with a 39% YoY growth.

DLOCAL COSTA RICA, SRL posee todos los permisos de funcionamiento requeridos para operar dentro del territorio costarricense. Dado a lo anterior, y en seguimiento al artículo 24 de la Normativa SGF-11-18 de Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (en adelante, la “SUGEF”) se indica: Advertencia: se advierte al público que DLOCAL COSTA RICA es supervisada solamente en materia de prevención de legitimación de capitales, financiamiento al terrorismo y financiamiento de la proliferación de armas de destrucción masiva, y además se encuentra sujeta a disposiciones vinculantes de la Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera del Instituto Costarricense sobre Drogas. Por lo tanto, la SUGEF no supervisa en materia financiera a DLOCAL COSTA RICA, ni los negocios que ofrece, ni su seguridad, estabilidad o solvencia.

eCommerce in Ecuador is still relatively small. Similar to other markets in LATAM, the main reason for consumers not buying online is the lack of trust. However, new technology and information available are shifting people’s behavior, feeling more confident with putting their payment information online, and taking the market to the expected $1.2B in 2020. One particularity that makes this market different is that the main currency is US dollars.

As the smallest country in continental America, El Salvador’s eCommerce revenue is US$ 500 million with a projected annual growth rate of 11.41%. With only 30% of the population having access to banking services, cash-based solutions and online payment methods dominate the market as almost half of the country’s population are internet users, standing at 45%, and the internet penetration rate is high at 59% for the country of 6 million people.

Guatemala boasts a relatively high internet penetration rate of 65%. While cash is the primary method of payment in the market, the country of 16 million people has an eCommerce market value of US$ 240 million that is bolstered by mostly offline cards, despite only 12% of the population using them.

As one of the fastest-growing economies in Central America, Honduras’s eCommerce revenue is projected to reach US$ 400 million with an impressive annual growth rate of 12.5%. With 50% of the population having access to banking services, cash-based solutions and online payment methods play a vital role in the market. The country has a significant number of internet users, with 55% of its 10 million residents online and an internet penetration rate of 60%.

With a vibrant economic landscape and an ever-evolving digital sphere, Mexico has become the second most important economy in Latin America.

Nicaragua has a population of 6 million. In 2021, the revenue of eCommerce in Nicaragua amounted to $3B. Only 31% of the population holds an account in a financial institution, and Internet penetration is at 43%.

Panama has a population of 4.2 million. Ecommerce market was $2.4B in 2019, projected to grow 20% in 2020. Only 50% of the population holds an account in a financial institution, 30% have a debit card and only 10% a Credit Card.

Paraguay is a small and open economy with nearly 7 million people and a GDP of $41 billion. Over the past decade, the Paraguayan economy grew on average 5% annually. The country’s $1.3 billion eCommerce market is growing, as well the country’s internet penetration.

Although Peru is one of the smallest eCommerce markets in Latin America and still, a very much cash economy, Peru’s $3.3 billion eCommerce market is growing rapidly. It is forecasted to grow 40% year-over-year through 2019. In 2016, 91% of online sales took place on a desktop and 85% were to local Peruvian merchants.

The Dominican Republic has a population of 10.7 million. In 2019, the revenue of eCommerce in the Dominican Republic amounted to $1.8B. 40% of the population is unbanked, and Internet penetration is at 76.8%. Around 20% has a Credit Card and 30% has a Debit Card.

In LATAM, Uruguay is referred to as a ‘país boutique’ or a boutique country. With a small population of 3.4 million and exemplary eCommerce development metrics for Latin America, Uruguay’s eCommerce market is growing at a rapid 31%. Uruguayans are highly computer and mobile literate, and the country’s Internet and smartphone penetration, at 88% and 65% respectively, have positioned Uruguay well ahead of most of its neighbors.