After two and a half days of dynamic dialogue between April 8-10, 2025, bold commitments, and regional solidarity, the curtains came down on the inaugural Caribbean Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The summit, a first of its kind in the region, was hosted by the Mona School of Business and Management in collaboration with Co-Develop, a grant-making and resource mobilisation organisation, and brought together policymakers, innovators, and thought leaders from approximately 30 countries  representing  the Caribbean and beyond.

In a powerful closing address, Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s newly-appointed Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, emphasized that the Caribbean’s digital transformation is not merely a policy goal—but a fundamental necessity for survival, resilience, and prosperity.

“When we implement secure, interoperable, and inclusive digital systems, we are not just using technology—we are rebuilding the very experience of government for our people and businesses,” Marks declared.

A Digital Sprint with SPEED

Minister Marks unveiled SPEED—Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development—a national initiative aimed at removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and modernizing Jamaica’s public service delivery.

“SPEED is not just a name—it is a mission. It is how we cut red tape and make government faster, more efficient, and more accessible,” she explained, positioning DPI at the heart of Jamaica’s economic and governance transformation.

Among the key milestones already achieved by Jamaica:

• Launch of the new electronic National Identification System (NIDS), which will provide citizens with secure, digital IDs to access public and private services.
• Broadband infrastructure expansion to bridge the digital divide and increase access for remote communities.
• Establishment of the National ICT Authority, replacing eGov Jamaica, to lead the charge on digital governance and transformation.

Jamaica Joins Global DPI Movement

Minister Marks also announced that Jamaica has officially joined the 50-in-5 campaign, a global initiative aimed at accelerating DPI implementation through international collaboration, shared learning, and innovation.

“Jamaica sees itself not just as a beneficiary, but as a contributor to the global DPI movement,” Marks said, encouraging other Caribbean nations to follow suit.

A Summit of Depth and Direction

The three-day summit was rich in insight and participation. Delegates engaged in immersive workshops, thought-provoking panels, and strategic discussions designed to catalyze action:

• Day 1 set the tone with high-level addresses and the framing of DPI as a foundational pillar for development.
• Day 2 delved into implementation strategies like DPI-as-a-Service and highlighted successful country case studies from Latin America and Africa. Sessions also explored the intersection of Open Data, AI, and Digital Public Goods.
• Day 3 wrapped up with two practical workshops:
  • Defining a DPI Inclusion & Adoption Research Agenda
  • An Infrastructure Approach to Social Protection

Meanwhile, earlier workshops focused on:

• Caribbean Shared Credentials & Wallet systems
• Digital enablers for capacity-building in education and skills training

These sessions were designed to yield actionable roadmaps, and many attendees were already speaking about follow-up collaborations and regional implementation pilots.

A Regional Sprint Toward Shared Goals

Throughout the summit, the message was clear: regional cooperation is key. Delegates from Belize, the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean territories echoed Jamaica’s call for shared frameworks and joint action on digital infrastructure.

Speaking on behalf of Partner and Co-host,  Matthew McNaughton, Director for Inclusion, Safeguards & Civil Society Engagement , Co-Develop stated, “Co-Develop's mission is to support countries in moving faster on their digital transformation journeys using a digital public infrastructure approach. This event was also about showcasing that the global DPI story is also a Caribbean one, and the region has a lot to contribute globally and to each other through collaboration."

“I think we accomplished much of what we set out to do at this inaugural Caribbean DPI Summit; essentially mobilizing the interest and engagement of a significant community of regional ICT stakeholders around the prospects for Digital Public Infrastructure as a driver of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Agenda. We had over 120 participants from ~30 countries and the presentations, discussions and workshops were robust, rich in content and oriented towards cooperative action. We now look ahead to the follow-on activities inspired by the Summit and, in particular, the role that the UWI can play in helping to advance the Caribbean digital agenda,”  stated  Dr. Maurice McNaughton, Conference Co-Chair and Director, Center for Innovation, Mona School of Business & Management.

Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union, one of the event partners was satisfied with the event as he stated ,  "It was refreshing to participate in this very timely event that brings together partners and stakeholders committed to accelerating digital transformation across our region. The implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is not just a technical undertaking — it is a strategic imperative for the Caribbean. By working together as a region, we can develop interoperable, secure, and inclusive digital systems that empower our citizens, drive innovation, and enhance service delivery. Regional cooperation is essential in realizing the vision of the CARICOM Single ICT Space and ensuring that no country is left behind in this digital era. The CTU remains determined in its commitment to fostering collaboration and harmonisation in pursuit of a digitally integrated Caribbean.”

At the Closing Ceremony, as Jon Lloyd, Director of the 50-in-5 initiative, prepared to take the stage following Minister Marks, the room buzzed with energy—not of a close, but of a beginning.

“Last Lap in Jamaica means giving your all to finish strong,” the Minister reminded the audience. “Let us take the momentum from this summit and sprint together—toward a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered Caribbean.”

The summit concluded with a spirited closing ceremony and a uniquely Jamaican cultural experience, cementing the message that the future of the Caribbean is digital—and that future starts now.