Analyzing the Impact of Al on E-Commerce Business in Developing Countries: A Case Study of the SADC Region

This study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies influence ecommerce innovations in developing countries, specifically within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.E-commerce in the southern African countries is constrained by low levels of infrastructure and digital prowess and consumer trust, and artificial intelligence technologies offer new ways for businesses to streamline processes, improve customer engagement, and increase security.This study looks into the use of AI technologies such as chatbots, recommendation engines, fraud detection systems, and predictive analytics in e-commerce in the SADC region, taking into account their situational context.Qualitative data obtained through interviews with e-commerce entrepreneurs and managers was combined with quantitative data from surveys on the adoption, perceived benefits, and challenges of AI to create a mixed-methods design.The most salient findings suggest that there is still uneven use of AI technologies across the SADC countries.At the same time, it was observed that most established firms are realizing substantial improvements on customer service and operational productivity.Smaller firms, however, grapple with challenges such as high costs, lack of technical know-how, and inadequate data.As the study reveals, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has considerable promise to enhance the growth of e-commerce in developing countries, specifically in the SADC region.However, targeted implementation policies are needed to bridge gaps in digital literacy at all levels, infrastructure, consumer and business education, and provide a regulatory framework that nurtures AI development while safeguarding privacy and security of data.Other suggestions emphasize the need for government-backed initiatives which focus on broadband expansion, AI training programs, and regionally collaborative knowledge hubs for stakeholders in e-commerce.