The COVID-19 pandemic underscored critical gaps in the Caribbean’s digital infrastructure, exposing significant disparities in access, literacy, and capacity across essential sectors such as health, education, and social protection. As the region works to recover, digital transformation has become an urgent priority, integral to the Caribbean’s development agenda and the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To address these pressing challenges, the Caribbean Forum on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) will be held from April 8 – 10, 2025, at the Regional Headquarters of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica. The forum, themed "DPI: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Island Developing States," will convene key regional and international stakeholders to discuss how equitable digital and data ecosystems can drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
The forum will bring together government leaders, regional development partners, technology experts, and private sector representatives to explore Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) solutions tailored to the Caribbean’s unique challenges. Participants will examine successful DPI models such as India Stack and Brazil’s Pix, while assessing their applicability to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with resource constraints.
Key discussion areas will include:
- Strategies and mechanisms for regional cooperation in advancing the Caribbean’s Digital Agenda
- The role of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in accelerating digital transformation
- Policy pathways for developing scalable and sustainable DPI solutions
- Public-private partnerships to support digital innovation in the region
Notable Speakers & Participants
The forum will feature 15 international experts, alongside regional and local speakers, including representatives from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as organizations such as UWI, Co-Develop, UN-ECLAC, eGOV, IADB, and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). Leading private sector entities, including Flow, Digicel, and major financial institutions, will also contribute to discussions on fostering digital resilience and innovation.
Speakers include Dr Maurice McNaughton, Director, Centre for Innovation Mona School of Business & Management, , Jon Lloyd Director of Advocacy Digital Public Goods Alliance , , Lauren Kahn, Senior Director - Global Impact, Public Digital , Matthew McNaughton Director for Inclusion, Safeguards & Civil Society Engagement Co-Develop, Mervyn Eyre, President & CEO, Fujitsu Caribbean and Dan Abadie, Head of Partnerships, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure will deliver the opening keynote, “The DPI Approach to Digital Transformation: Why It Matters for the Caribbean?”,
A Call to Action for Caribbean Digital Advancement
“The Caribbean’s digital future depends on our ability to build robust, inclusive, and sustainable digital infrastructure,” said Dr Maurice McNaughton . “This forum provides a critical platform for stakeholders across the public, private sectors, academia and the international community to collaborate, share best practices, and identify actionable pathways for the region’s digital transformation.”
The Caribbean Forum on Digital Public Infrastructure is expected to drive actionable outcomes to strengthen the region’s digital ecosystem, ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a more connected and resilient Caribbean.
For more information or to register, please contact Janice Henlin or visit https://www.caribbeandpisummit.org
About the Forum Organizers
Mona School of Business & Management: is the premier business school in the Caribbean. As a part of The University of the West Indies (UWI), ranked in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, MSBM provides the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to excel in a globally competitive business environment.
Co-Develop: is a global, nonprofit fund accelerating the adoption of safe and inclusive shared digital public infrastructure (DPI) at scale.