A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 7 April to Sunday 13 April 2025.
Monday, 7 April 2025
25 percent of govt employees now using Cloud Bahamas system
Bahamas – Since the government rolled out its Oracle-based human resources management system Cloud Bahamas in February, 25 percent of all government employees have signed in and are actively using the system to view annual salaries, update personal information, and apply for leave requests, the government said in a press statement released yesterday… more
Cloud Bahamas portal now live
Bahamas – The Government of The Bahamas is advancing its commitment to modernizing the public service with Cloud Bahamas, a digital platform designed to streamline financial and human resource processes. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing fiscal efficiency, accuracy, and transparency within government operations… more
Georgia’s 16 years managing Global Voices
Caribbean – Georgia Popplewell is coming to the end of a 16-year stint as Managing Director with Global Voices (GV). Popplewell began engaging with the project five years before that when her blog, Caribbean Free Radio began to get global traction through GV’s surfacing of her work… more
Digital Ministry opens 3 ICT centres
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Ministry of Digital Transformation has opened three information and communication technology (ICT) centres in Trincity, La Brea and Tarodale, San Fernando… more
VISA reports 30% increase in transactions over Carnival 2025
Trinidad and Tobago – Transactions across all Visa payment methods during Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, held on March 3-4, 2025, increased by more than 30% compared to last year’s Carnival. According to an analysis from Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), online Visa transactions showed sustained growth with a more than 75% increase compared to last year… more
Tuesday, 8 April 2025
APUA alerts residents to SMS messages and email fraud
Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is warning the public about a fraud being perpetrated regarding unpaid utility bills… more
UWI Postpones Use of Online Proctoring Software Amid Student Concerns
Caribbean – The University of the West Indies’ Academic Programming and Delivery Division (APAD) has announced the postponement of the planned rollout of online proctoring for quizzes in Semester 2, 2024–2025… more
AI machines at the gate
Guyana – The call center was once the second chance for the school-leaver who never got past CXC. It was the soft cushion for the young mother trying to piece her life back together. It was a foothold for the young man who refused to steal but couldn’t find anything to do… more
Sex offender database to be implemented in Guyana
Guyana – For the first time in its history, Guyana is set to introduce a national sex offender database as part of a suite of proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Act… more
DBSKN announces fee using USD online payment portal
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Contrary to social media reports of a “small adjustment to the loan payment processing” from the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis (DBSKN), the bank has clarified the recently implemented USD $5.00 + VAT Loan Payment Processing Fee, effective March 2025… more
Former MP Brison accused of taking bribes to promote tourist levy and cryptocurrency
Sint Maarten – Former Member of Parliament (MP) Rolando Brison has been indicted on bribery charges stemming from his tenure in the country’s highest legislative body from June 2018 to February 2024… more
Fostering innovation among youth
Trinidad and Tobago – This article continues our examination of youth development as a catalyst for national transformation… more
Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Government Employee Charged for Stealing 43 Chromebooks
Belize – A government employee is in hot water, accused of stealing forty-three Chromebooks from the Government Bookstore on Saint Joseph Street back in February. A police investigation led to the discovery of nine of the devices all the way in Orange Walk… more
China’s digital RMB (Renminbi, Chinese Yuan)
Caribbean – From reliable sources, China is quietly rewriting the rules of global finance with its seismic proportions digital RMB (Renminbi, Chinese Yuan), a move that could deliver a potentially fatal blow to the US dollar hegemony… more
Making AI work for business
Caribbean – Chief financial officers (CFOs) have been urged to take care with how they attempt to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations as research reveals that most of last year’s projects to introduce the technology did not make it over the line… more
Hubmark adds data privacy business line as authorised partner of Zoho
Jamaica – Brand development company Hubmark has signed a partnership with Zoho, a pioneering software as a service (SaaS) company offering cutting-edge data privacy solutions to clients across various industries… more
Public Alert: Online Scams Using the Image of Allen Chastanet
Saint Lucia – THE Office of the Leader of the Opposition wishes to alert the public to fraudulent advertisements and social media posts currently circulating online, which falsely use the image and likeness of Hon. Allen Chastanet to promote investment schemes and request money… more
TTBizLink adds five new services
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Trade and Industry continues to expand and enhance the TTBizLink platform as five new services from two key agencies,the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Trade Licence Unit and Tourism Trinidad Ltd, have been integrated into the service… more
Thursday, 10 April 2025
Bahamian software firm launches product in Barbados
Bahamas – A Bahamian software developer has launched his fast-growing document management software in Barbados this past Monday, and is looking to hit 10,000 total users in the Caribbean by June… more
Chester and “Uncle” Make Amend, Cyberbullying Charges Dropped
Belize – The public feud between ComPol Williams and his brother, Arthur Roy Williams, also known as ‘Uncle,’ is now water under the bridge as the brothers made amends earlier today. As a result, the charges against Arthur were dropped by prosecutor Alifah Elrington this afternoon in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court… more
From Cyber Beef to Brotherly Bond: COMPOL and “Uncle” Squash Public Feud
Belize – The long-standing public feud between Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and his brother Arthur Roy Williams—also known as “Uncle”—came to a peaceful end today at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court… more
DIGICEL AND CABAN ENERGY COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE WITH SOLAR ROLLOUT
Caribbean – In a powerful statement of its commitment to environmental responsibility and combatting climate change, Digicel today announced a partnership with Caban Energy (Caban) which will diversify its energy source using solar technology and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while significantly reducing operational costs… more
Making AI work for business
Caribbean – CFOs have been urged to take care with how they attempt to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in their finance operations as research shows most of last year’s projects to introduce the technology did not make it over the line… more
Making AI work for business
Caribbean – CFOs have been urged to take care with how they attempt to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in their finance operations as research shows most of last year’s projects to introduce the technology did not make it over the line… more
New satellite could improve hurricane forecasting
Caribbean – A new satellite positioned 22,000 miles above the equator will provide more advanced data during hurricane season, potentially improving forecasts for these threats… more
Drivers risk arrest, licence suspension for failing to pay e-tickets -AG
Guyana – Drivers who contest or fail to pay their e-tickets could face serious consequences, including arrest, conviction and licence suspension, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has noted… more
Samsung Galaxy S25 series launch unveils future of smart mobile innovation in Jamaica
Jamaica – Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS), in collaboration with Samsung Electronics and Digicel, officially launched the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series at the Digicel Tropical Plaza Store, in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday to an audience of esteemed business leaders, tech enthusiasts and media professionals… more
Friday, 11 April 2025
Chester Defends Taking Alleged Cyberbully to Court
Belize – Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is standing by his choice to take cyberbullies to court. Last week, a police officer found himself in court for allegedly bullying his own boss online… more
Technical Working Group receives Grenada’s Seismic Dataset from GEOEX MCG LLC
Grenada – Technical Working Group receives Grenada’s Seismic Dataset from GEOEX MCG LLC… more
Flow to pull plug on legacy copper systems
Jamaica – Telecommunication services provider Flow Jamaica is reshaping its retail network and investing in network upgrades to protect its position in the market… more
Holness signals reboot for Ja’s global services sector
Jamaica – Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has called for a bold transformation and renewed ambition in Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) and global services sectors, saying it is crucial in preparing for the future… more
St. Lucia Postal Service Issues Scam Warning
Saint Lucia – The Saint Lucia Postal Service has been made aware of a message circulating via iMessage and other platforms, claiming to be from the Saint Lucia Postal Service and requesting personal information to confirm a delivery. Please be advised that this message is fraudulent… more
Saturday, 12 April 2025
Drivers have begun paying e-tickets issued – police
Guyana – Drivers have begun to pay their e-tickets issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the newly implemented automated Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS)… more
Musk’s Starlink now offering internet service in Guyana
Guyana – U.S-based internet service provider Starlink has officially launched its services in Guyana, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to liberalize the telecommunications sector… more
US-based DeVry University to mount outreach to Guyana, offering 50 percent cut in tuition fees
Guyana – The United States-headquartered DeVry University is seeking to get a foothold in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean, aiming to target organisations and the wider Guyanese community… more
JSE Datasphere is here!
Jamaica – The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Datasphere, which is a flexible, easy-to-use and reliable source of current and historical financial data, has gone active… more
PM calls for bold pivot in BPO, Global Services sectors
Jamaica – Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has called for a bold transformation and renewed ambition in Jamaica’s business process outsourcing and global services sectors… more
Securys touts growth, partnerships in Jamaica after one year
Jamaica – Global data protection firm Securys recently marked its first anniversary in the Jamaican market, touting that it has firmly established itself as a leader in the Caribbean’s evolving digital security landscape… more
Sunday, 13 April 2025
AI ‘being used’ in money scams
Barbados – Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs are being used by foreign online venture capitalists to fleece Barbadians of thousands of dollars… more
Locking down your device when crossing borders
Caribbean – Planning an international trip? Travellers should prepare for the possibility of extra scrutiny of their phones when crossing borders, especially when entering the United States… more
AI hub pilot study to boost education
Jamaica – The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy is set to launch a pilot study using artificial intelligence (AI) designed to enhance educational outcomes and transform growth and shared prosperity among the people of both regions… more
Cyber risks must form part of the resilience discussion
Jamaica – The Jamaican Government created an information and communications technology authority. Its mission is to provide a single voice (also known as the leadership) and framework to improve the delivery of information and communication services across… more
The AI revolution and Elections
Trinidad and Tobago – Politicians kissing, Prime Minister Stuart Young in a fistfight, the Opposition Leader and Young sharing a meal, the former Prime Minister wearing clown makeup and attire… more
Images credit: Susan Sermoneta (flickr); Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Hubmark; Wikipedia; Flow (Facebook); Jamaica Stock Exchange (Facebook)
