Executive summary

As a small island developing state with about 112,000 people spread across 33 atolls and 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean, Kiribati faces significant economic and public service delivery challenges. In addition to being one of the countries most affected by climate change, other challenges stem from a highly dispersed population, remoteness to major markets, a narrow economic base, and the dual problem of sparse, outer island communities and heavy overcrowding in the capital. It is too remote for integrated industry value chains, therefore production of local goods tends to focus on traditional products, with most consumption products and capital imported from abroad. This geography raises the cost of public service delivery and leads to an infrastructure gap. It limits opportunities for private sector development and diversification. Weaknesses in governance, business regulations, and access to credit exacerbate these geographical challenges. The eT Ready Assessment seeks to support Kiribati’s effort to identify e-commerce challenges and leverage additional resources from development partners to address these barriers.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Gender Equality

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Partnerships for the Goals