Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa reforms free zones for tech and names Roberto Luque COE chief

President Daniel Noboa signed Executive Decree 387 on 18 May 2026, amending Ecuador's free‑zone regulations to prioritize technological and innovative activities. The reform redirects the special‑economic zones toward services such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, fintech, blockchain, biotech, digital animation and video‑game development, and creates dedicated spaces for telecommunications, data processing, cybersecurity and scientific research. It also introduces flexible labor conditions, including remote‑work options, to attract foreign investment and position the country as a regional hub for digital solutions.

In a separate decree, Noboa appointed Roberto Luque as the new president of the National Electoral Council (COE), replacing the previous head and consolidating his administration's control over the electoral authority.