Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda has received its first concrete grant-funded multi-sector initiative in the form of the Digital Transitioning Programme for Jamaica (Digital Jamaica), a collaborative effort between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Jamaica, with a total investment of 9.5 million euro. The launch event for the initiative was recently hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Digital Jamaica is the first bilateral EU Global Gateway Flagship Programme to be signed in the Caribbean, and is strategically designed to address Jamaica’s pressing digitalisation challenges relating to access and capacity, over the next four years.

The programme will focus on building the competence of educators and teachers in digital skills, bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to public schools and children’s homes, and supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in adoption and use of technology for efficiency gains.

According to the European External Action Service’s deputy secretary general for economic and global affairs, Helena König, who was at the official hand over of documents ceremony, a major aspect of the initiative will be to bring Wi-Fi connectivity to over 1,000 public schools, including children’s homes.

“It will contribute towards ongoing government efforts to reduce social vulnerability to the digital divide, particularly among students, including special needs students in unserved and under-served areas,” she explained.

König also shared that the initiative will support the integration of Jamaica’s national ICT competency framework for teachers into the curricula of all publicly funded teacher-training institutions.

“This will build the digital competency of pre-service, new and in-service teachers,” she said. “This strategic targeting of the foundation of education is vital for Jamaica to achieve its goal of a knowledge-based society and a digitally competent labour force.”

Global Gateway, the EU’s cooperation with partner countries in support of their own strategic autonomy, mobilises investments via a Team Europe approach to drive transformation in digital, climate, energy, transport, health, and education sectors worldwide.

The transformative value of the programme was highlighted by minister without portfolio (Skills & Digital Transformation), Dana Morris Dixon.

“This initiative aims not only to transform the technological landscape of Jamaica but to empower our citizens by enhancing access to information, promoting digital literacy, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,” Dixon stated. “Nations with a digitally literate populace are more competitive in the global arena, attracting investments, fostering technological advancements, and driving economic growth. In essence, digital skills are not merely tools for individual advancement; they are foundational to a nation’s resilience, adaptability, and prosperity in an interconnected world.”

Digital Jamaica will be implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.