Dominican republic Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in dominican republic, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Digital Economy
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Market Overview

The Dominican Republic has witnessed a significant surge in digital adoption in recent years. These advancements have been fueled by increased internet penetration which reached approximately 88.6% of the population in early 2025, and significant technological infrastructure improvements alongside government initiatives to promote digitalization.

Some of the strategies that the current administration has outlined to continue the growth of the digital economy in the Dominican Republic include implementing the “Digital Agenda 2030” which is a comprehensive plan to transform the country into a digital leader. This ambitious initiative aims to “build a competitive digital economy” where technology is accessible to all, fosters economic growth, and improves the quality of life for citizens. Key strategies outlined in the Digital Agenda include:

Infrastructure Development: The GODR is investing heavily in expanding broadband connectivity with over 97% of mobile connections now classified as broadband capable (3G, 4G, 5G), improving telecommunications infrastructure, and developing data centers to provide reliable and affordable internet access across the country. The objective is to enable citizens and businesses to fully participate in the digital economy.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), internet usage and mobile broadband subscriptions have grown significantly in the Dominican Republic, and efforts to enhance trust in the digital ecosystem are ongoing. While the country’s cybersecurity ranking aligns with the Latin American and Caribbean average, it falls short of the OECD standard. Although progress has been made in e-government, expanding open data policies across public bodies remains a priority, as indicated by the OECD’s OURdata index.

Digital Government: The GODR is also committed to digitizing public services, streamlining processes, and promoting transparency to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption, and improve service delivery.

For a detailed view of the specific objectives and goals of the Digital Agenda 2030, please visit: Agenda Digital: Economia Digital.

To foster the growth of the digital economy, the Dominican Republic has been actively developing its innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the “Semilleros Digitales” from the Government Office for Information Technologies and Communication (OGTIC).

Meanwhile the “Semilleros Digitales” program by the OGTIC is a strategic initiative aimed at nurturing digital talent in the Dominican Republic. Recent successes include the graduation of over 90 young people from the Semilleros Digitales INTRO program in early 2025, who received training in artificial intelligence, modern programming languages, web development, mobile applications, and other emerging technologies. The program equips young innovators with the skills necessary to develop cutting-edge digital solutions. This initiative plays a crucial role in fostering a vibrant digital economy by stimulating innovation, supporting startups, and strengthening the overall tech landscape in the country.

Market Challenges

Despite advancements in recent years, the Dominican Republic still faces certain challenges that hinder its full potential in the digital economy. These challenges broadly fall into two categories: the Regulatory Environment and Digital Trade Barriers.

Regulatory Environment

In the realm of the Regulatory Environment, the country grapples with several issues. Regarding Data Privacy, the Dominican Republic has enacted the Data Protection Law (Law No. 172-13) to safeguard personal data; however, challenges remain due to the lack of a dedicated, general data protection authority to oversee compliance and enforcement across all sectors. 

Cybersecurity is another significant concern. While the country has implemented measures like the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2030, overseen by the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS), there are ongoing difficulties in improving the identification and protection of critical information infrastructure, raising public awareness, and enhancing the capacity of institutions to handle cyber threats effectively. 

Furthermore, while the Market Entry process has been streamlined for new businesses in the tech sector, now taking 2-4 weeks for registration, regulatory complexities and bureaucratic hurdles in certain areas persist for startups and foreign investors. 

Finally, Public Sector Procurement processes have historically faced criticism regarding transparency and efficiency. Though efforts are underway to improve these practices, challenges persist in ensuring fair competition and reducing the risk of corruption.

Digital Trade Barriers

The second category involves several Digital Trade Barriers. There is a noted Digital Skills and Technology Adoption Gap, characterized by low technology adoption among workers. This, coupled with outdated infrastructure, actively hinders technology use and innovation.

Intellectual Property (IP) Concerns are prevalent, as inconsistent IP enforcement and the presence of illicit or counterfeit goods negatively impact foreign technology providers and local startups, despite existing legal frameworks. 

Furthermore, while overall Internet Access and Cost show a high penetration rate (88.6% in early 2025), widespread digital adoption is slowed by limited access to high-speed internet in rural areas and relatively high costs. 

Regulatory challenges for internet services also exist.

Finally, the Influence of International Trade Agreements, such as CAFTA-DR, means that the country’s digital trade policies and market access conditions must align with global standards, which can sometimes introduce external biases into local regulations.

Market Opportunities

The Dominican Republic’s digital economy is poised for growth across several promising sectors. Cloud computing, for instance, has the power to transform both businesses and government operations, despite some initial hesitations regarding security. Overcoming this hurdle will require educating stakeholders about the robust security measures already offered by cloud service providers.

The nation has taken a forward-leaning approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key pillar of its National Innovation Policy 2030, which culminated in the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA) in late 2023. This comprehensive strategy is designed to integrate AI ethically and responsibly, featuring crucial initiatives like the #YoSoyFuturoRD program for talent development, the Hub de Datos for data infrastructure, and the Gobierno Inteligente program for using AI in public services. This proactive stance is further evidenced by their support for the U.S.-promulgated UNGA resolution on AI and the publication of their national strategy.

In addition to AI, other data-centric technologies are also gaining traction. The rising use of the Internet of Things (IoT), particularly influenced by the United States’ role in home automation, presents opportunities for Dominican companies to optimize their operations and develop innovative business models. Simultaneously, the ability to leverage Big Data analytics can profoundly enhance decision-making across both public and private sectors, offering a growing market for companies that provide these specialized data services.

Market-facing sectors are also driving digital expansion. The Dominican Republic’s expanding middle class and increasing internet penetration create a favorable environment for significant e-commerce growth, with online marketplaces, retail platforms, and digital payments acting as key drivers for economic development and job creation. This digital shift extends to finance, where Fintech innovations—including mobile payments, digital lending, and insurance technology—hold the potential to revolutionize financial services and improve access to essential products for individuals and businesses alike.

Finally, digital technologies are playing a vital role in critical infrastructure and services. In healthcare, digital solutions such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and advanced medical imaging can significantly enhance service delivery, lower costs, and improve patient access. The country’s ample renewable energy resources also offer a unique opportunity for digital technologies to support sustainable energy development and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, aligning with the national goal of generating 25% of its electricity from renewable source by 2025.

Strategic Technologies

The Dominican Republic’s focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Healthcare Technology (telemedicine, health data management, for example) aligns with the country’s critical and emerging technologies. These technologies can improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.

Resources

•    Francesca Fermín, Commercial Specialist: francesca.fermin@trade.gov 
•    Agenda Digital 2030: Economía Digital 
•    El Dinero: Que es el hub de innovación Punta Bergantin
•    Presidencia: OGTIC y el Gabinete de Innovacion presentan programa Semilleros Digitales 
•    Perspectivas Económicas de America Latina 2020
•    Protección Integral Datos Personales 
•    Agenda Digital 2030: Ciberseguridad Transversal 
•    Dominican Republic’s national cybersecurity strategy 2030 – June 2022
•    Digital 2025: The Dominican Republic 
•    National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Dominican Republic – October 2023

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