As part of its commitment to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, UNCTAD teamed up with Alibaba Group to support 1000 entrepreneurs in developing countries to become catalysts for the digital transformation in their home countries.
The collaboration is designed to help bridge the digital divide faced by young entrepreneurs in developing countries and allow them to grasp the opportunities of inclusive e-commerce ecosystems.
It consists of sharing firsthand experiences about the transformative impact of e-commerce and technology and a follow-up on lessons learned, including a two-week stay at the Alibaba Business School campus with site visits. Participating entrepreneurs commit to share the knowledge gained with their communities and as champions of the new economy, to contribute to UNCTAD's research work and events.
The eFounders Fellowship Programme is open to entrepreneurs in the digital and technology space who operate open platforms related to: e-commerce, logistics, fintech, big data or tourism. A strict selection process is applied where social responsibility and gender play an important role.
The Programme is part of the collaboration with Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, as Special Adviser of UNCTAD for young entrepreneurs and small business.
"Countries with poor infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, skills and local content development, and electronic payment systems, are missing out on what the innovative flare of young entrepreneurs can generate in the fast-growing digital marketplace"
Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
"I have spent my career working with entrepreneurs and know the positive social and economic impact when people are given the opportunity to participate in the global economy"
Jack Ma, Special Adviser of UNCTAD and
founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group
