**NASSAU, The Bahamas (July 16th, 2025)** — Caribbean ICT ministers have expressed their support for a bold vision to accelerate national digital transitions, calling for enhanced collaboration, diversified infrastructure, and people‑centric innovation.
Speaking on the theme “Beyond Connectivity: Charting the Next Frontier in National Digital Transition” at CANTO’s 40th Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, regional decision‑makers outlined strategies to drive economic resilience and social inclusion across every island.
“We must treat technology as an industry in its own right, not merely as a tool,” said Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas.
Pointing to initiatives in tech tourism, smart‑city programs, and innovation hubs, Cooper emphasized the need to retain homegrown talent and leverage the region’s proximity to the United States by expanding data‑centre capacity and pursuing true digital independence.
“Traditionally, we have used technology as a means to an end, but if we are going to continue the growth, the advancement and being competitive, we must look at it as an industry that wants to maintain our best minds in the region to ensure that we are advancing our place in the world and we are truly moving towards digital independence,” he said.
Charles Cooper, Curaçao’s Minister of Traffic, Transport & Urban Planning, described his government’s $25 million investment in a second subsea cable to reduce dependence on a single provider.
“We are also automating government services and embracing satellite communications, so we are safeguarding our future against technological disruption,” he explained, underscoring Curaçao’s commitment to e‑government and digital education.
From the Cayman Islands, The Hon. Ralston Anglin, Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Minister of Education and Training, highlighted digital equity in schools.
“Every student now receives a tablet and access to interactive teaching tools. Equity is particularly important, and we’ve rolled out a device for students and it starts at reception,” he said.
Anglin also announced plans to deploy AI in government accounting to streamline operations and enhance service delivery, stressing that “technology delivers real‑life outcomes, especially for students with special needs. Many of these students cannot communicate in the traditional sense and using technology is one of the keys ways of helping them to lead a meaningful life.”
Completing the panel, The Hon. Diallo Rabain, Bermuda’s Minister of Digital Innovation, unveiled his government’s “one‑stop shop” portal for citizen services.
“We are transforming paper‑based processes into seamless digital transactions,” he noted, acknowledging that early opposition was overcome through collaboration and training that turned sceptics into skilled practitioners.
“It is imperative that we all look towards the future and embrace this technology that is being afforded to us, not just as a fear, but as something that can be used to enhance what we do and allow us to do other things even more efficiently,” he said.
Throughout the discussion, ministers agreed that a single CARICOM ICT space – with harmonized spectrum policies, cross‑border digital identity, and robust cybersecurity – will be crucial for building a truly gigabit‑enabled Caribbean. Their collective call to action resonated across CANTO’s halls: the region’s digital future hinges on shared vision, strategic investment, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion.
