In support of the Ministry of Finance’s efforts to create a more inclusive financial system, the
United Nations generated data-driven insights to shape national strategies that widen access
to financial services for vulnerable groups. The National Financial Inclusion Survey Report was produced through a collaboration between the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the European Union and the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Center (TTIFC). Released in August 2024, the survey revealed that:
• 1 in 4 adults does not have access to a basic transaction account.
• 3 out of every 4 adults have saved money, most of which is kept at home.
• 3 out of 4 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operated within households do not have a business bank account.
These findings lay the groundwork for a National Financial Inclusion Strategy that can remove barriers to financial access, foster entrepreneurship and improve financial literacy for the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, youth and marginalized groups.

Trinidad and Tobago is harnessing the power of e-commerce and digital trade to drive economic diversification, expand financial inclusion and create new opportunities for businesses and underserved communities. In partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) developed the Trinidad and Tobago eTrade Readiness Assessment, the first of its kind in the Caribbean and only the second in the Latin America and Caribbean region. On the basis of the findings of the assessment, UNCTAD is supporting the Government with developing the National E-commerce Strategy 2025–2030. This blueprint for strengthening the country’s digital economy and e-commerce ecosystem was the outcome of an evidence-driven and
consultative process that engaged more than 200 people in the public and private sectors, civil society, Tobago and Leave No One Behind groups. Once finalized, the strategy will shape a robust legal and regulatory framework, investments in digital skills, streamlined trade facilitation and financial access which are all critical factors for a more competitive, resilient and inclusive digital economy. Notably, the strategy incorporates targeted measures to empower women, youth, people in rural areas and persons with disabilities. By formulating a business environment where e-commerce and digital trade can thrive, this
initiative is poised to position Trinidad and Tobago as a leader in the Caribbean’s digital economy. By equipping businesses and individuals with the tools to capitalize on e-commerce and build a more inclusive, sustainable future, UNCTAD’s work delivers progress on Vision 2030’s commitment to creating globally competitive businesses and
accelerates achievement of SDGs 8, 9 and 10.

Businesses can tap into new market opportunities and drive the country’s economic growth using a stronger digital payments framework made possible through a partnership between the United Nations, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, and the European Union. In support of Vision 2030’s commitment to developing globally competitive businesses, UNCDF improved the regulations of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to support a more robust e-money framework that unlocks the economic stimulus potential of digital
payments. The revised guidelines enable the Bank to issue e-money, safeguard virtual assets, and license and regulate e-money payment services providers. These advancements empower micro, small and medium enterprises to integrate mobile wallets and digital payment solutions, allowing them to reach new customers and expand market share. Crucially, women, youth, the elderly and unbanked populations can now have
greater access to secure, digital financial services – fostering economic resilience and reducing barriers to financial participation. This initiative catalyzes progress on SDG 1 by ensuring more people and businesses can engage in the digital economy, stimulating growth and strengthening financial security.

Trinidad and Tobago’s agriculture sector is undergoing a digital transformation, improving produce traceability, reducing costs and increasing market access for farmers. Through complementary initiatives led by UNCDF and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in
partnership with the government, new technologies are modernizing value chain management and connecting farmers directly to buyers, advancing Vision 2030’s goals under Themes Three and Four, as well as SDG 2. To enhance produce traceability and optimize supply chain efficiency, FAO collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries to equip the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation
(NAMDEVCO) with a Crop Production and Monitoring App, enabling real-time farm-level data collection on production volumes. This ensures precise tracking of produce and market pricing trends, while a digital packhouse management system with barcode scanning further strengthens traceability, aligning Trinidad and Tobago’s agriculture sector with
international Codex standards for food safety. These technologies generate insights that improve access to value chain information and help farmers align production timelines with consumer demand, reducing waste and post-harvest losses. They also advance progress on the country’s Digital Transformation Strategy by deploying information and communication technology (ICT) tools to bolster economic activity. In a related effort, UNCDF partnered with the European Union, NAMDEVCO and TTIFC to launch AgriConnect, an e-commerce platform which links smallholder farmers to buyers to facilitate direct sales. During the pilot phase,
22 farmers and 8 buyers conducted more than US $35,000 in transactions, guaranteeing an available, on-demand supply of 19 crops to supermarkets, vegetable marts, catering services and hospitals. By January 2025, the project had expanded to include 67 caterers under
the National School Feeding Program. The platform saves farmers time and money by providing a ready-made pool of buyers. It also enables buyers to purchase from farmers whose crop yields are typically too small to supply retailers, since the platform allows yields from multiple farms to be pooled for bulk buying. By driving competitiveness and reducing post-harvest losses, the United Nations and its partners are modernizing Trinidad and Tobago’s digital agro-economy.