Mexico digital adoption and eCommerce challenges

Mexico is experiencing significant delays in digital adoption across its commercial and financial sectors. In the business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce market, less than 10% of transactions are currently digital, a figure that lags substantially behind the 80% adoption rates seen in the United States and China. Industry leaders at CANACINTRA have identified cultural resistance and a lack of digital training as primary obstacles to competitiveness.

This digital lag extends to consumer and general business payments. While the regional average for digital payment adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean is 59%, only 41.4% of Mexican adults use digital payments. A “cash equilibrium” has emerged, where businesses and consumers rely on cash due to a mutual lack of expectation for digital alternatives.

Experts suggest that overcoming these barriers could improve financial inclusion and tax collection, as digital transaction histories could provide credit access to the 63% of adults currently lacking formal credit. However, progress is hindered by concerns regarding cybersecurity and insufficient tools for fiscal offices to investigate digital fraud.