The Dominican Republic (DR)’s information and communications technologies (ICT) sector continues to grow rapidly and improves year after year. The sector is mainly driven by the telecom subsector, which positions the country's telecom infrastructure among the best in the Caribbean.
Information and communications technologies market in the Dominican Republic
Key opportunities for Canadian ICT companies in the Dominican Republic
- Peripheral services and equipment for 5G networks
- Software and computing services:
- cybersecurity
- enterprise software
- business solutions
- Retailtech
Notable challenges for Canadian ICT companies in the Dominican Republic
- Extremely competitive market, with most leading foreign player shaving a presence
- Market is often price-sensitive
- Slow decision-making processes by potential clients
Industry highlights
1.0% ICT contribution to the DR’s GDP.
USD 400 million average annual Capex investment in the DR’s ICT sector.
56,000 jobs in the DR’s ICT sector.
4 main telecom carriers in the country (2 of which are international).
75.0 score on the 2023 International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s ICT Development Index.
Dominican business landscape
The DR has been recognized as one of the most stable democracies in Latin America. The DR’s business environment welcomes foreign investment and supports economic activities by foreign companies. Its ICT sector is mainly driven by private sector investment (telecom, financial services, enterprises).
For Canadian ICT companies interested in entering the Dominican market, it is recommended to do so through a qualified local partner like a:
- system integrator
- IT consultant
- technology distributor
Such partnerships help Canadian companies benefit from local know-how and access to important clients in both private and public sectors.
According to the DR regulatory body, INDOTEL, the switch from analog to digital TV will be completed by December 2025. This change could create opportunities for related-technology suppliers.
Summary
The telecommunication subsector (voice, data, and video) is the cornerstone of the ICT sector in the DR, receiving substantial investments each year. The main carriers have deployed 5G networks over the last few years, focusing on the largest and most populous urban centers. In general, Canadian suppliers have a good reputation among local companies in the ICT sector.
The constant growth and sophistication of the financial services industry has increased the demand for cybersecurity solutions to support the steady growth of virtual transactions. Other industries including energy, retail, and telecom are also investing more in cybersecurity.
Contact us
For more information on ICT in the Dominican market, contact sdmgotd@international.gc.ca.