BARRIERS TO E-COMMERCE AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN UZBEKISTAN: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Keywords:
e-commerce, digital technologies, adoption barriers, Uzbekistan, digital transformation, transition economy, Digital Uzbekistan 2030.Abstract
This thesis analyzes the principal barriers to e-commerce and digital technology adoption in the Republic of Uzbekistan and proposes targeted solutions. Despite remarkable growth—with e-commerce transactions increasing from approximately 250 billion soms in 2019 to over 28 trillion soms in 2024—the share of e-commerce in total retail trade remains substantially below mature-market levels. Six categories of barriers are identified: infrastructural, financial-payment, regulatory-institutional, human capital, consumer-behavioral, and trust-related. For each barrier category, the thesis articulates the underlying problems and proposes corresponding solutions, drawing on international experience and on the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategic framework.
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