A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 20 January to Sunday 26 January 2025.
Monday, 20 January 2025
OKX Bahamas brings fintech to students
Bahamas – The Bahamas subsidiary of cryptocurrency exchange OKX Bahamas is ensuring that the newest generation of Bahamians understand cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and central bank digital currencies, by taking its understanding of the technologies into New Providence schools and extolling their practical applications, CEO of OKX Bahamas Herman Loedolff told Guardian Business… more
PUC Limits Starlink to Emergencies and Underserved Areas in Belize
Belize – The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has restricted Starlink Belize operations to specific circumstances after denying its application for a Class License to provide fixed and mobile broadband internet across the country. Starlink services will only be allowed in unserved or underserved areas, on vessels and aircraft under Earth Station in-Motion (ESIM) regulations, and during natural disasters when other providers cannot deliver emergency services… more
Corporate boards ‘not cyber ready’
Caribbean – New research has found that corporate boards in Barbados and the Caribbean face significant challenges in providing effective cybersecurity oversight… more
Curaçao to Host Prestigious CANTO Connect 2025 and 41st Annual General Meeting
Curaçao – Curaçao will host the prestigious CANTO Connect 2025 and the 41st Annual General Meeting from January 26 to 28, 2025, as announced by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC)… more
Guyana national digital ID project gets $4.8M in 2025 budget
Guyana – The government of Guyana has allocated $1 billion (US$4.8M) for national e-ID cards, as part of a budget presented last week by finance minister Dr. Ashni Singh… more
Moving the government to digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – Last week’s column was described by a reader as “uncharitable.” Which is correct, in a strict reading of its intent. It offered no gifts and cut no slack… more
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Cybersecurity expert warns of Salt Typhoon threat
Bahamas – Bahamians need to be wary of the Salt Typhoon cybersecurity danger emanating out of China, said Scott MacKenzie, chief executive officer of Cloud Carib, a Bahamas-based cloud services provider… more
Kanoo Pays accelerates international expansion with Guyana launch
Bahamas – A digital payments solutions provider is calling for streamlined digital payment regulations across the Caribbean to foster cross-border trade and adoption, as it accelerates its international expansion with an imminent launch in Guyana and ongoing initiatives in Trinidad and Jamaica… more
Will AI leave our children jobless?
Barbados – Recently, my 11-year-old daughter asked me, “Daddy, with how fast Artificial Intelligence (AI) is replacing jobs, will there be anything left for kids my age when we grow up?” As someone immersed in technology, I found myself stumped. Despite my expertise, I couldn’t provide a confident answer… more
IDB Launches a TechLab to Strengthen Caribbean Digital Growth and Innovation
Caribbean – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has inaugurated a new TechLab, an emerging technology laboratory hub for the Caribbean, located in Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative is designed to advance the region’s digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation and long-term economic growth… more
Why I opposed biometrics
Guyana – Dear Editor, On May 30, 2024, following a commission decision, GECOM’s CEO submitted a written presentation entitled, ‘Feasibility Study for Introducing Digital Fingerprint Capture During Registration and Biometric Fingerprint Identification for Voting in Guyana.’ … more
90 tTech shareholders accept Simply Secure take-over bid
Jamaica – Simply Secure Limited has now increased its majority shareholding in Jamaican Information Technology company, tTech Limited to 84.7% with 90 shareholders accepting its mandatory take-over offer… more
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Dive shop social media insult stirs up viral outrage
Cayman Islands – A thoughtless insult made on social media by the owners of a West Bay dive shop on Tuesday has stirred up a viral firestorm across the community, focusing on the growing divide and distrust between residents who are new (or ‘paper’) Caymanians or expat and the generational locals who live there… more
Online scam cons woman out of money for cell phone
Belize – Оnсе аgаіn роlісе аrе іnvеѕtіgаtіng а trоublіng іnсіdеnt thаt hіghlіghtѕ thе rіѕkѕ оf оnlіnе ѕhорріng, аѕ а rеѕіdеnt оf Веlіzе Сіtу rероrtеd tо lосаl аuthоrіtіеѕ thаt ѕhе wаѕ dесеіvеd іn а mоnеу trаnѕfеr ѕсhеmе аftеr аttеmрtіng tо рurсhаѕе а сеll рhоnе оnlіnе… more
Sustainability implications of AI investment
Caribbean – Accountants have a key role in driving organisations towards using AI (artificial intelligence) to hit sustainability goals, especially in the area of data quality and data governance. At the same time, they must make organisations aware of the environmental impact of AI investment in terms of greater emissions and water usage… more
AI can transform, shape sustainable future for Guyana – Christopher Clarke
Guyana – Dr. Christopher Clarke, a Guyanese computer scientist, educator, and entrepreneur, has dedicated over a decade to the field of artificial intelligence (AI). With academic credentials that include a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Guyana and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering specialising in Human-AI Interaction from the University of Michigan, Clarke aims to transform AI applications and education in Guyana… more
IDB CIO: T&T overcoming technology challenges
Trinidad and Tobago – T&T, like other developmental countries in the Caribbean, is still facing some foundational challenges when it comes to implementation and the usage of technology to gain advancements, says Jean-Michel Baudoin, chief information officer and general manager of the Technology and Transformation Department of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)… more
IDB launches TechLab in T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – Minister of Digital Transformation, Hassel Bacchus, is reiterating the importance of innovation and digital transformation which are critical elements in economic development… more
Monetising YouTube in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – Can YouTube be monetised in the Caribbean? It’s a common question and the answer is a resounding yes… more
Thursday, 23 January 2025
Fair, efficient payment systems critical to postal services’ future
Barbados – Ensuring postal services have fair and efficient payment systems is crucial for keeping the global postal network running smoothly and ensuring fair partnerships between countries… more
Tabit Insurance launches with Bitcoin-backed policies
Barbados – Barbados has attracted another offshore business, Tabit Insurance SCC, which recently began operations here after receiving a Class 2 insurance licence from the Financial Services Commission (FSC)… more
Curaçao to Host Prestigious CANTO Connect 2025 & 41st AGM Uniting Leaders in Telecom and ICT Under the Theme “Towards a Unified & Sustainable Gigabit Society”
Curaçao – Curaçao is proud to be the host of the highly anticipated CANTO Connect 2025 and 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled to take place from January 26th to 28th, 2025, at the stunning Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort… more
How Tech is Transforming the Caribbean Payments Landscape
Caribbean – Cash is increasingly giving way to new payment methods around the world. The Caribbean is no exception to this trend, with a recent survey by Mastercard finding rising adoption of digital payments in the region, primarily credit and debit cards… more
WATRA and CTU Strengthen Regional Collaboration in Telecommunications
Caribbean – In a historic step towards deepening international cooperation, the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), led by Mr. Rodney Taylor, the secretary general, on a courtesy visit to its Abuja Secretariat… more
BIT launches fibre optic training
Guyana – The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has launched a four-week fibre optic installation training programme which aims at equipping participants with the technical skills needed to meet the demands of Guyana’s rapidly evolving telecommunications sector, a BIT release announced on Tuesday… more
Credit unions eye growth with tech MoUs
Trinidad and Tobago – The Co-operative Credit Union League of T&T (CCULTT) has signed two separate Memoranda of Understandings to advance the movement and bring greater service and efficiency to members… more
‘Fully cashless or hybrid system’
Trinidad and Tobago – Lecturer in industrial relations at the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies, Janice Johnson-Lorde who is also a business owner, believes that less cash should be used to conduct business… more
Gonzales to receive TSTT cyberattack report today
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales is set to receive the much-anticipated report on the 2023 cyberattack against majority state-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) today… more
TSTT to submit report into 2023 cybersecurity breach to minister today
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (TSTT) has said it will submit the final report on the investigation into the 2023 cybersecurity breach and the circumstances surrounding the incident to the Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales, on January 23… more
Friday, 24 January 2025
Bahamians involved in cybersecurity roadmap for region
Bahamas – Three Bahamian cybersecurity experts have joined Commonwealth fellows in developing a roadmap to combat cybercrime in the Caribbean region, according to a press statement on the inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Caribbean Cyber Fellowship… more
Barbados hosts FiX25: Shaping the Caribbean’s fintech future
Barbados – Barbados is at the forefront of financial innovation this week as the Fintech Islands Experience 2025 (FiX25), the Caribbean’s premier fintech conference, got underway at the historic Sam Lord’s Castle, Wyndham Grand Resort… more
Cancer Society warns about WhatsApp scam
British Virgin Islands – Fraudsters posing as the BVI Cancer Society have been using WhatsApp to solicit money from residents, the non-profit organisation warned recently… more
IDB launches new tech lab to consolidate innovation and growth and the region
Caribbean – Mindful of the importance of rolling out the tools necessary to create an enabling environment for the incremental strengthening of regional digital growth and innovation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched a TechLab to create an enhanced enabling environment for the purpose of realizing that objective… more
The next phase of the AI revolution
Caribbean – Nvidia has been the poster child for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution; however, the story goes far beyond just one company… more
PSC supports GECOM’s position on biometrics
Guyana – The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has thrown its support behind the decision made by Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh to rule out the use biometrics at this year’s General and Regional elections… more
Jefferies’ Gregory Fisher urges investor caution amid AI boom
Jamaica – AS global markets face mounting uncertainty in 2025, Gregory Fisher, managing director at Jefferies Group, LLC, is urging investors to approach with caution… more
Chutney Soca Monarch Goes Global: bmobile Powers 30th Anniversary with International Broadcast
Trinidad and Tobago – Get ready to witness history in the making as the Chutney Soca Monarch celebrates its 30th anniversary with a groundbreaking global broadcast, marking a significant evolution of this treasured cultural competition… more
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Get Safe Online announces winners of ‘Cyber Heroine of the Year’ competition
Dominica – Get Safe Online announced the winners of its highly anticipated ‘Cyber Heroine of the Year’ competition, which has celebrated the contributions of women in cybersecurity across 25 countries since its launch in October… more
Jamaican wins Fintech contest
Jamaica – Nine Caribbean-based entrepreneurs competed for cash prizes during theFiX25 Startup Pitch Competition, held on the final day of the FiX25 conference yesterday… more
Schools to Have CCTV Cameras, Alarm Systems
Saint Lucia – CCTV cameras and alarm systems are currently being placed in schools to ensure safety Education Minister Shawn Edward said this week… more
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Dr Azizi Seixas: Revolutionising healthcare with AI and precision medicine
Jamaica – It’s almost impossible to define Dr Azizi Seixas by career as his path has been anything but conventional, spanning multiple disciplines and industries… more
UTech surveys cybersecurity landscape at upcoming Data Protection Symposium
Jamaica – As the University of Technology (UTech) gets ready to stage its International Data Protection Symposium on Tuesday (January 28), president Dr Kevin Brown has indicated that the institution is committed to promoting and educating the public about data privacy… more
Images credit: CartridgeSave Images (flickr); CANTO (Facebook); Kanoo Pays (Facebook); Wikipedia; CTU (Facebook); IDB; Wikipedia
