Digital Transformation Emerges as Top Business Challenge in Central America

Digital transformation has emerged as the leading internal challenge for companies analyzed in Central America, according to EY’s 2026 edition of its “Challenges and Trends of Companies” study. The area was identified by 42% of respondents, placing technology-related transformation ahead of other business priorities. For readers following dominican news and business developments across the Caribbean, the findings also offer useful regional context on how companies are responding to technological change.

The result marks a shift from the previous year’s priorities, as companies increasingly connect technology with changes in customer behavior, markets and business models. Process automation ranked second at 28%, while market share growth and improvements in operations, productivity and costs each received 27% of responses.

Technology moves beyond operational efficiency

The findings indicate that companies are moving from an agenda focused primarily on operational efficiency toward one in which technology is also being used to respond to broader changes in how businesses compete. Digital transformation is increasingly associated with productivity, automation, growth and competitiveness rather than simply the digitization of existing processes.

Logistics and supply chain management recorded one of the strongest increases within the classification. Financial management and cybersecurity also gained importance, reflecting a broader approach to technology that encompasses both business performance and organizational resilience.

Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence gain importance

EY’s study identifies five trends that registered importance levels above 80% among respondents. Cybersecurity and data protection ranked highest at 89%, followed by accelerated digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, automation and advanced analytics, at 87%.

Data as a cross-functional business asset reached 84%, while innovation registered 82% and technology-driven productivity 80%. Together, the figures indicate that companies are increasingly treating digital capabilities as part of their broader business strategy.

What the regional findings mean for Dominican Republic

For the Dominican Republic, the study provides a regional reference point rather than a country-specific measurement. EY’s analysis states that the 90 responses used in the study represent the Central American aggregate and should not be interpreted as individual statistical results for each country.

That distinction is important when applying the findings to the Dominican market. The regional results show the direction of business priorities across the countries covered by the study, but they do not establish that the same percentages or ranking apply specifically to Dominican companies.

The broader trend nevertheless highlights the growing connection between technology and business strategy in the region. Companies are assessing digital transformation alongside automation, cybersecurity, data, innovation and productivity as they adapt to changing markets and increasingly technology-driven competitive environments.