This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

In a time of climate change, increasing urbanisation and depleting arable land, a society’s ability to feed itself is crucial. According to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Dr Carla Barnett, at an event in 2022, “Generally, structural characteristics of our economies have meant that we import more than 60% of the food we eat, with some countries importing more than 80% of the food they eat. Over the period 2018-2020, the CARICOM food import bill was US$13.76 billion or approximately 5% of GDP” (Source: Caribbean Export).

However, in the Caribbean region, becoming a farmer or working in agriculture are considered careers of last resort – when you are not qualified to do anything else. It also means that the use of cutting-edge technology, sophisticated practices, and developing compelling national strategies with the attendant resources being allocated to agriculture have been limited in the region and more so over the past 30 years when Caribbean countries lost their preferential treatment status for bananas.

Nevertheless, we still have brave individuals who have a passion for agriculture and are committed to fostering its continued development here in the region and in the Global South.

Introducing our guest

Dr. Yvane Agard-Abbot is a Deep Tech/Agritech Startup Founder and a trailblazing scientist whose work at the intersection of nanoscience, microfluidics, and agriculture is transforming the way we approach food security and sustainable farming. As the driving force behind HydroFluidics, she is leveraging cutting-edge microfluidic technology to develop affordable, portable, and highly accurate soil nutrient testing solutions that empower farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, and build climate resilience.

With a PhD in Nanoscience and Advanced Technologies from the University of Verona, Italy, Yvane has dedicated her career to developing point-of-need diagnostic tools that are affordable, user-friendly, and scalable. Her pioneering work on paper-based microfluidic devices for forensic science and healthcare has demonstrated the transformative potential of microfluidics in resource-limited settings. These innovations align with the World Health Organisation’s ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid, Equipment-free, and Deliverable), making her a leader in the field of deeptech science and innovation.

Yvane’s leadership, HydroFluidics is developing an in-situ soil nutrient testing solution that combines microfluidic technology with an intuitive mobile app. This innovation provides farmers with real-time insights into soil health, dosing recommendations, and predictive analytics for climate risks—all in a portable, easy-to-use format. By bridging the gap between advanced science and practical application, HydroFluidics is addressing the root causes of food insecurity and soil degradation in the Caribbean and beyond.

Insights into our conversation

Yvane’s life to date is a testament to the fact that every life experience can be formative and can all contribute to where an individual is today. From her early life in Saint Lucia visiting her grandfather’s farm, her initial studies in Chemistry, and her postgraduate focus on nanoscience, microfluidics, rapid testing kits, healthcare and forensic science, to now being in the process of rolling out an onsite soil nutrient testing solution at a price point accessible to Caribbean farmers, the thread is evident.

The solution Yvane is proposing is innovative and could be transformative to Caribbean farmers and farmers in other developing countries. However, we cannot get away from the stigma still attached to agriculture and that it is severely under-resourced in the region. We can only hope that the emergence of deep-tech solutions created by one of our own will put the spotlight back on agriculture and the lucrative opportunities that exist.

Below are key questions posed to Yvane during our conversation.

1. What are some of the challenges you have observed in how farming or agriculture is done in the Caribbean?
2. Okay, let’s step back a bit. Tell us a bit of your story.
3. What is meant by Microfluidic Technology?
4. You have registered a company, HydroFluidics Limited. What goods or services are you hoping the company will provide?
5. Are you thinking of HydroFluidics Limited as a technology-based social enterprise?
6. Is it possible for agriculture-based tech businesses to be sustainable or even profitable in the Caribbean region?
7. What are the next steps in bringing your solution to farmers?
8. Where would you like to see HydroFluidics Limited in the next two to three years?

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Dr Yvane Agard-Abbot

Featured Images:  Y Agard-Abbot; Freepik;  Jame PC (Pixabay);  DC Studio (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

There seem to be two kinds of entrepreneurs in the world. First, there are those who are born entrepreneurs: who knew from a very young age that they would start their own businesses and avidly searched (and continue to search) for opportunities to do so. A good and recent example of this Is Jarryon Paul, the Founder of Sunshine, who we spoke with in January 2025.

The second group are those who became entrepreneurs based on circumstances. Often, they have identified a need or pain point people are having or a gap in the market that they had the skills, drive, or otherwise, the wherewithal to try to address. Our guest for this episode of the Podcast falls into this category and has created a solution for a problem either we may not have known we had or did not know could be solved!

Founded in March 2024, Dataffluent offers market insights tailored for investors and traders to empower decision-makers in the Caribbean region, with scope to expand into other developing countries and regions where financial markets, the associated data and infrastructure are still fledging. The company’s platform leverages cutting-edge AI models with sophisticated machine learning algorithms to unravel the complexities of stock market data and delivers deep market insights, providing clients with a comprehensive understanding of emerging market dynamics.

Introducing our guest

Raquel Seville is the Founder of Dataffluent, a research and data science company that specialises in providing financial insights for publicly traded entities in emerging markets. She is a distinguished Jamaican tech entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the tech industry.

Raquel has held leadership roles in multinational companies and served as CEO for the Caribbean region at BI Brainz, training over 10,000 professionals in business intelligence. She is a published author of SAP OpenUI5 for Mobile BI and Analytics.

Raquel is also an advocate for women in technology, addressing challenges related to career and personal life balance. Passionate about leveraging data to drive economic growth in underserved markets, she balances her professional endeavours with personal interests in travel, photography, and culinary exploration, all while maintaining a strong connection to her Jamaican heritage.

Insight into our conversation

Data-driven market intelligence is still underdeveloped in the Caribbean region. Hence, being able to provide clients with accurate, real-time data not only facilitates improved decision-making and opens up a broad range of opportunities for innovation, but it is also essential in driving the region’s economic growth and increasing its economic resilience and independence.

Raquel has been passionate about data for decades and seeing start to come into her own through Dataffluent. BI Branz, her previous venture, was a consulting business, which tends to start with the company principals leveraging their relationships with the hope of developing a track record and securing referrals. Taking on stock markets to provide more comprehensive insights and intelligence is an audacious undertaking, and a problem that we may not have realised could be solved. So, what we seem to have here is the optimal situation: solving a significant real-world problem by someone who has the expertise and the experience to provide a solution.

Below are some of the questions posed to Raquel during our conversation.

1. Tell us about Dataffluent. Why did you set it up and what services does it offer?
2. What is the problem Dataffluent is trying to solve? And who are your customers?
3. What is it like to pitch your business to others?
4. What is it like to be a woman in tech and focusing on finance?
5. What is it like being an entrepreneur in Jamaica? What do you think about the country’s start-up environment/ start-up culture?
6. How would you describe yourself as a manager, as the leader of your organisation? What do you consider your greatest strength?
7. What has been the biggest lesson you have had to learn in launching your startup and running your own business?
8. Where would you like to see Dataffluent in the next 2 to 3 years?
9. What is the best piece of advice you would give to a young tech start-up?

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Raquel Seville
• Dataffluent
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 268: Optimising performance and success through business intelligence, with Raquel Seville of BI Brainz
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 050: Mining the data within using business intelligence, with Raquel Seville of BI Brainz
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode,  ICTP 334: Stablecoins and financial freedom for all, with Jarryon Paul of Sunshine
• techstars article, Techstars Atlanta & New Orleans Powered by J.P. Morgan Announces 2024 Fall Classes
• Entrepreneurs Beyond Borders article, Bringing it Back to Beyond the Beach 2024-Raquel Seville
• Jamaica Observer article, Raquel Seville, DATA QUEEN

Images credit: Images credit:  R Seville; snowing (Freepik); nattanan23 (Pixabay); rawpixel.com (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In some quarters, insurance is considered a necessary evil. Be it health, life or vehicle insurance to name a few, they can be costly to secure and maintain, but can become invaluable when a crisis occurs. As life becomes increasingly fraught with uncertainty – be it climate or weather-related, politics or wars –

 Insurtech, a fusion of “insurance” and “technology,” is transforming the global insurance landscape by leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions. Unlike traditional insurance models, which rely on paperwork, human intermediaries, and legacy systems, insurtech introduces automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and reduce costs.

Insurtech is still relatively new worldwide and more so in the Caribbean region. This article should serve as a primer on Insurtech by outlining the differences between traditional insurance, the technologies driving this transformation, the services offered, and some real-world examples of Insurtech in developing countries.

Traditional insurance vs. insurtech

Traditional insurance has long been characterised by cumbersome processes, lengthy claim settlements, and rigid policies. The primary distinctions between traditional insurance and insurtech include:

1. Claims processing. Traditional claims processing is time-consuming, involving extensive paperwork. By leveraging technologies, such as AI and blockchain technology, insurtech accelerates claims settlements by deploying automated and efficient digital processes.
2. Customer experience. Traditional insurers tend to provide one-size-fits-all policies that could not be customised to the needs of their clients. They also rely heavily on agents and manual underwriting, which has perpetuated the rigid approach to the policies that could be secured. On the other hand, insurtech companies offer seamless digital interfaces, personalised and accessible services with greater scope to customise them to clients’ needs.
3. Accessibility. Traditional insurers require in-person visits or phone calls for policy management, which to some degree may have been informed by know-your-customer policies which have become increasingly prevalent in the financial services sector. Insurtech platforms allow users to purchase, modify, and claim policies through mobile apps and websites.
4. Pricing and risk assessment. Conventional insurance firms use broad categories to determine premiums, which again may be due to the policy constraints and the inherent challenges in managing different permutations on policy offerings. However, since insurtech employs data-driven, AI-powered risk assessments, it can offer dynamic, real-time pricing models.

Key technologies powering insurtech

Insurtech leverages various digital technologies and innovations to enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction. Core technologies that are being deployed include the following:

• AI and machine learning (ML). AI-driven chatbots and ML algorithms analyse vast data sets to improve risk assessment, fraud detection, and claims processing.
• Big data and predictive analytics. By analysing vast datasets, such as those covering customer behaviour, health records, market trends and even historical insurance and risk data, and using AI and other predictive platforms, Insurtech firms can create personalised policies, detect fraudulent claims whilst also managing risk.
• Blockchain technology. As an immutable ledger, blockchain technology can be used to ensures transparency and security in policy issuance, claims verification, and fraud prevention by providing a decentralised and tamper-proof record of all actions and transactions made.
• Internet of Things (IoT). Smart devices, such as telematics in vehicles and wearable health monitors, provide real-time data that help insurers adjust pricing and offer proactive risk management by automating the data collection process, limiting reliance on human and the chances of human error.
• Cloud Computing. Cloud computing facilitates scalable access to storage and computing power, as well as real-time access to insurance data and analysis, which can result in more efficient and cost-effective services.

Examples of insurtech services and coverage

These days, insurtech companies are offering a broad range of insurance products tailored to modern consumer needs. They include:

• On-demand insurance, which allows customers to purchase short-term policies for specific needs, such as travel, rental cars, or gadgets.
• Usage-based insurance (UBI), which is particularly common in vehicle insurance, where the model calculates premiums based on driving habits monitored via telematics.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance, where groups of policyholders pool their premiums to cover claims collectively, resulting in reduced costs and increased trust.
• Microinsurance, which is generally aimed at low-income populations and offers affordable coverage for health, agriculture, and life insurance.
• Embedded insurance, which integrates insurance coverage into the purchase of other goods and services. A popular example is flight insurance, which can be included when purchasing airline tickets.

Insurtech is making inroads in developing countries

Insurtech is playing a crucial role in increasing insurance penetration in developing nations, where traditional models often fail to reach underserved populations. Noteworthy examples include the following:

• Bima is amobile-based microinsurance platform that offers affordable health and life insurance to low-income individuals across 11 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It partners with telecom companies and insurance companies to provide life, health and accident insurance coverage, among others, via mobile phone.
• Pula is a Kenyan-based Insurtech firm that provides agricultural insurance and digital products to help smallholder farmers endure yield risks and improve their farming practices. It uses data analytics and satellite imaging to provide farmers with insurance against climate risks, ensuring financial stability in case of droughts or floods.
• Coverfox boasts of being the largest insurtech platform in India, which serves as an online aggregator that simplifies insurance comparison, purchase, and claims processing, making insurance more accessible to India’s vast population.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, insurtech is revolutionising the insurance industry by making it more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. By leveraging AI, blockchain, IoT, and big data, insurtech firms are overcoming the limitations of traditional insurance models, particularly in developing economies. As digital penetration continues to rise, insurtech will play an even more crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion and providing customised insurance solutions worldwide.

Image credit:  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

The digital transformative nature of ICT has been well-documented. However, realising the desired outcomes – in an organisation or a country – can be challenging as it requires a comprehensive strategy, a sustained will and the resources to facilitate implementation over the long term.

Launched in 2023, the Developers’ Hub (D’Hub) is a key initiative under the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad and Tobago that fosters the development of innovative, secure, and high-quality software solutions that address the needs of the public sector, citizens, and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago. More importantly, it is a collaborative ecosystem designed to empower local developers with the tools, resources and support needed to drive innovative and digital solutions that can have an impact in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world.

The D’Hub model is new in the Caribbean region but has been receiving global attention for creating an enabling environment for digital transformation, sustainable development innovation and furthering the continued development of Trinidad and Tobago’s digital economy.

Introducing our guest

Devindra Ramnarine is a digital transformation consultant with over 30 years of experience in digital technology, digital government and ICT-enabled transformation across the Caribbean region. He is currently the Digital Transformation Adviser (Innovation and Implementation) at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago, where he provides strategic advice, technical architectural support, and project management services.

Devindra has been responsible for establishing the Developer’s Hub (D’Hub), an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation driven by the Ministry of Finance’s directive to increase the contribution of the ICT sector to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The programme has been strengthening the local software developer community with the goal of creating revenue-earning software development export capability. D’Hub was the proud recipient of the Inter-American Development Bank’s 2023 President’s Award for Service Excellence and Innovation (Pr.AISE) Award for Innovation in the Public Service, and it was recently awarded the 2024 World Summit on the Information Society “Champion” Prize for creating a supportive environment for sustainable development through digital means.

Insights into our conversation

It is not often that a Caribbean government launches a comprehensive and long-term initiative to foster digital innovation and entrepreneurship. We have seen code sprints and grants programmes come and go without having any significant or sustained impact. However, when D’Hub was announced, it seemed to want to tackle digital innovation and entrepreneurship from different fronts, including skills development, skills application to solve real-world problems, mentoring and business development.

Devindra, as one of the architects of D’Hub, offers tremendous insight into its inner workings and some of its achievements to date. Below are key questions posed during the course of our conversation.

1. How did D’Hub come about?
2. What is the problem D’Hub is trying to solve?
3. How is D’Hub structured?
4. What has D’Hub been achieved to date?
5. What are the specific government or societal challenges the selected developers are trying to address?
6. Were there gaps or deficiencies that emerged that required the D’Hub model to be adjusted?
7. How could the D’Hub model be replicated in other Caribbean countries?
8. Where would you like to see D’Hub in the next 3 to 5 years?

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Devindra Ramnarine
• Developers Hub
• Ministry of Digital Transformation
• X-Road – interoperability services
• X-Road®

Images credit:  TechNewsTT; First Caribbean Bank (Trinidad and Tobago);  Wikimedia Commons; creativeart (Freepik); DilokaStudio (Freepik);  Ministry of Digital Transformation (Trinidad and Tobago)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

From 22—24 January, the Fintech Islands conference (FIX25) was held in Barbados. This high-profile event, which draws entrepreneurs and thought leaders from across the Caribbean region and internationally, has become an important nexus not only for financial technology (fintech) but also for tech entrepreneurship in the region.

However, at FIX25, there were growing calls for a harmonised fintech regulatory framework across the Caribbean to address local challenges, such as financial inclusion, and to create a more investor-friendly environment for global fintech companies (Source: Barbados Today). Currently, there is no regional regulatory framework, as a common approach or policy has not been adopted across Caribbean countries. As a result, prospective investors who wish to benefit from economies of scale by investing in multiple countries tend to find it considerably more difficult since each country has implemented its own unique rules and structures.

According to Fortune Business Insights,

“The global fintech market was valued at USD 294.74 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth USD 340.10 billion in 2024 and reach USD 1,152.06 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.5% during the forecast period (2024-2032).”

There is thus merit in Caribbean countries capitalising on fintech, but more importantly, facilitating a regional approach to developing that sector, as it is highly competitive with other countries and regions also trying to attract investment and grow their respective markets.

Fintech is not just crypto

A frequently overlooked factor is how policymakers define fintech. Generally, the term came to the fore when blockchain technology and cryptocurrency became more mainstream. However, fintech covers a broad range of areas including the following

• Digital banking, by providing banking services to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• Mobile payments, which can be facilitated through digital wallets and other technologies.
• Peer-to-peer lending, though platforms that facilitate short-term financing (e.g. buy now pay later) and payday loans.
• Crowdfunding, through platforms that facilitate such activities and other financing services.
• Blockchain, by using blockchain technology to create decentralised financial applications, secure payments, and speed up payments.
• Insurtech, by using technology (such as blockchain, AI, and automation) to improve the insurance industry.
• Regtech, by using technologies and platforms to improve the regulation of financial services.
• Investing, by using fintech to deliver investing services, improve investment analysis and advice, including robo-advisors.
• Cryptocurrency, by creating and using cryptocurrencies and other use cases of blockchain technology.

It is likely most of the above areas are already being implemented in most Caribbean countries, but the extent to which technology is being leveraged may vary. For example, virtually all commercial banks have implemented online banking, though not all of their banking services, processes, and activities can fully be conducted online. Similarly, with the high proliferation of mobile phones across the region and the ability to transfer top-up credits between phones, the foundation for mobile payments and digital wallets exists. However, for the other areas, full digitalisation has not yet occurred as the appropriate laws and rules have not yet been established, which has hindered their development in the region.

It is also important that we address areas such as blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, which policymakers might be wary of. However, in this digital age, where borders and boundaries no longer exist, avoiding blockchain and crypto means that inadequate guidance or protections are being established, although citizens may be using them. It also means that their impact on the economy or the wider society – good or bad – cannot be tracked or measured.

Still operating in silos

We also have to admit that although Caribbean countries know there is greater strength in being unified than divided and can point to evidence of it worldwide, we operate independently of each other. Although the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) exists, and numerous regional commitments or agreements have been made on specific issues or a course of action, many countries do not follow through on what was agreed upon, resulting in the desired outcome either not being achieved altogether, or a much watered-down result being achieved that does not have the hoped-for impact.

Although it may be argued that as sovereign states, countries are entitled to act as they please to address their own needs, priorities and imperatives, within a regional group or construct, occasionally, there may be a need to act and support initiatives that are ‘for the greater good’. In other words, if a particular initiative benefits most countries but may have minimal impact in a particular country, that country could consider not objecting to the initiative to derail it completely, but rather allow it to proceed (with reservation if needs be).

The benefits of a regional approach

Finally, it is important to highlight that although we all know the improved economies of scale that can occur when Caribbean countries operate from a common and unified position, all too often, things fall apart, and we appear disjointed and not coherent. Hence, while we might be prepared to agree upon or make a commitment to a particular matter, our individuality as countries tends to win out and we are unlikely to follow through.

However, in many instances, a regional focus or a regional effort will likely improve outcomes locally. For example, in the fintech space, establishing a cost-effective, fast and seamless regional payment system would not only allow for the transfer of funds between Caribbean countries but could also facilitate the creation of a larger and more cohesive regional marketplace, which in turn could open up more entrepreneurial and innovation opportunities, along with increasing international investment prospects. Such a scenario is unlikely to be fully realised by a single country of 30,000 or even 3 million, but it becomes considerably more feasible for a collective market size of 30 or 40 million.

In summary, fintech could be a significant growth area for Caribbean economies, and every opportunity ought to be taken to better position our countries. A crucial and underutilised strategy is implementing a harmonised approach to fintech sector development. As it currently stands, there is much to gain from addressing this matter regionally than as individual countries.

Image credit:  rawpixel.com (Freepik)

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

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

 Over the past several years, Caribbean countries have acknowledged that a significant segment of their population is unbanked and underbanked. In other words, these people did not have access to access to, nor did they feel empowered to use, a wide range of financial services from reputable providers that satisfied their needs. However, the recent rise in digital money platforms and services is facilitating greater financial inclusion among those who had not been traditionally served.

At the same time, there is also an increased focus on financial freedom. The term is often used to define having enough income to live well without relying on paid employment, but it also means not having to worry about financial constraints – particularly those imposed by others.

Some Caribbean countries, such as Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, have established strict currency controls to restrict the buying and selling of foreign currencies. As a result, local consumers, be they businesses or individuals are unable to buy many of the globally traded currencies as or when needed, or in the quantities they desire – regardless of their banking status at traditional financial institutions.

Introducing our guest

Jarryon Paul is a Visionary, Entrepreneur and Founder of Sunshine, a stablecoin exchange based in Trinidad and Tobago that is helping Trinbagonians buy and sell stablecoins (USDC, USDT) for local currency, the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar.

In concert with the stablecoin exchange, Sunshine also provides remittance services to Trinbagonians living and working in the United States to send money to family and friends back home. Sunshine is currently establishing operations and testing its services in Turkey, Ethiopia, and Luxembourg, with more countries on the way.

Jarryon has been finding opportunities and building businesses since he was 10 years old, earning him over 18 years of first-hand business experience. His vision of FINANCIAL FREEDOM FOR ALL is at the core of Sunshine, his 13th Venture.

Insights into our conversation

Unlike most young entrepreneurs and in the relatively brief conversation we had, Jarryon appears to have a different perspective on life and business compared with his peers. This perspective seems to be the result of hard-earned lessons having been in the start-up trenches for nearly 20 years.

Having said this, Jarryon is having experiences with Sunshine that had not happened with his previous 12 ventures. The company is evolving from a scrappy start-up to having about 15 staff members at the time of writing, and a venture that is not only based in Trinidad and Tobago but is also establishing a presence in international markets.

1. Why did you set up Sunshine and what services does it offer?
2. What is the problem Sunshine is trying to solve? And who are your customers?
3. How do stablecoins work? And how are they different from Bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrencies?
4. Tell us a bit of your story.
5. How would you describe yourself as a manager, as the leader of your organisation?
6. What has been the biggest lesson you have had to learn in launching startups and running your own business?
7. Could (or should) other Caribbean countries or developing countries consider having their own stablecoins?
8. What are your thoughts on a regional stablecoin, such as CaribCoin?
9. Where would you like to see Sunshine in the next 3 to 5 years?
10. What is the best piece of advice you would give to a young tech start-up?

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Jarryon Paul
• Sunshine
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 333: 2024 end-of-year Caribbean ICT/tech trends briefing
• Bantu Blockchain Foundation
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 206: We have CBDCs, but is the Caribbean ready for a regional stablecoin?
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 326: Our continuing vulnerability to cyberattacks, ESG versus CSR versus ICT, and Caribbean consultants becoming true digital nomads

Images credit:  J Paul;  Ahmad Ardity (Pixabay); jannoon028 (Freepik);  Freepik

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Monday, 30 December 2024

Flex Delivery Plus launching official app and website!

British Virgin Islands – Flex Delivery Plus has announced the upcoming launch of its website and official app, scheduled for January 19, 2025… more

Connected Caribbean Summit makes the case for functional, tangible regional integration

Caribbean – The Connected Caribbean Summit, now in its third year, has been hailed as a highly organised event with compelling ideas and presentations that rekindled hope for the prospects of an integrated Caribbean bloc for improved trade and business… more

The most useful tech I own in 2024

Caribbean – There are two kinds of new car buyers. Those who want to feel a communion with their new vehicle, ensuring that its style and backstory align with their own aspirations, and those who read and compare specifications, comparing them with elaborate spreadsheets… more

WiPay Remittance bridges gap for international payments across T&T and wider Caribbean

Caribbean – Freelancers, businesses, and eCommerce entrepreneurs across Trinidad and Tobago—and soon the wider Caribbean—can now access their international payments with ease, thanks to WiPay Remittance… more

itel to shutter Guyana operation on New Year’s Eve

Guyana – Just over three years after entering the Guyana market through its acquisition of Emerge, business processing outsourcer itel International will shutter its operations on December 31, 2024… more

Tuesday, 31 December 2024

After the gift: Setting up a device for a child

Caribbean – Eight in 10 parents said their child has a phone, and on average, the first phone was given at a little under age 12, a short survey by researcher Erica Parker reveals. In today’s ever-connected society, children and young teens use tech for everything from listening to music to keeping in touch with friends and schoolwork… more

Online shopping, high prices leave vendors in misery after Christmas

Jamaica – It’s hard to tell when very small business operators get a financial bump in the usually busy Christmas season, and it’s rare for them to say business is good. Last week was no different as speaking with The Gleaner after Christmas last week, there was overwhelmingly negative feedback from sellers and buyers alike… more

2024 was all about putting AI tools to work

Trinidad and Tobago – IF 2023 was a year of wonder about artificial intelligence, 2024 was the year to try to get that wonder to do something useful without breaking the bank… more

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

BARP wants telecoms giant to pause on full digital bill shift

Barbados – Telecommunications Provider FLOW is urging all of its customers to sign up to receive their bills electronically, but the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) wants the company to maintain a hybrid approach… more

833 cellphones found in prison in 2024

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Cell phones being used by prison inmates for “nefarious activities on the outside” have become “worrying” to prison authorities… more

Thursday, 2 January 2025

2025: The global paradigm shift we need

Caribbean – As we step into a new year, it’s time to embrace a transformative mindset. The key to unlocking greater prosperity for ourselves and our economies isn’t solely through waiting for big corporations to invest in our islands… more

‘Fast payments system has pros and cons’

Trinidad and Tobago – While T&T’s Central Bank is getting ready to roll out a pilot programme in 2025 for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) real time payment system developed in India, there could be security risks involved in launching this innovative payment system… more

Friday, 3 January 2025

NCB processes over J$13 billion in ABM transactions during Christmas

Jamaica – National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) says it processed just under 631,000 ABM transactions totalling $13.4 billion during what it said was the peak period of the Christmas season, from December 17 to 25, 2024… more

Saturday, 4 January 2025

Jamaica’s ICON targets 1,000 new BPO jobs over next two years

Jamaica –  ICON Importers and Distributors, a company with over 25 years of service, has unveiled a major investment in the Global Service Sector (GSS), formally known as business processing outsourcing (BPO). This move will transform the scenic Paradise area of Westmoreland into a vibrant commercial hub, employing approximately 1,000… more

Sunday, 5 January 2025

Using tech to revolutionise blood donation

Jamaica – Hospitals are continually faced with a shortage of blood and are always appealing for more. With Jamaica’s high rate of motor vehicle accidents and other issues that lead to a reliance on blood donation in the healthcare system, it is imperative that we try to solve this problem as best as we can… more

Roach resigns as TSTT chairman

Trinidad and Tobago – SEAN Roach has resigned as chairman of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), according to two sources familiar with the matter, who spoke to the Sunday Express on condition of anonymity… more

TSTT chairman stepping down

Trinidad and Tobago – Sean Roach is stepping down from his position as chairman of the Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT)… more

Images credits: Jon S (flickr); WiPay; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; CANTO

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

We are almost at the end of 2024, and looking back at the past year from a regional perspective, the Caribbean tech space may seem quite ho-hum, where no single transformative event can readily be recalled. Bright moments from previous years, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology, just seemed to be ambling along.

Having said this, private and public sector organisations are still grappling with major cyberattacks and the fallout thereafter. Further, with many Caribbean countries experiencing the ravages of tropical storms this year, the most devastating of which was Hurricane Beryl, deficiencies in countries’ network and infrastructure resiliency and recovery have been increasingly evident.

In our last Community Chat for the year, we are reflecting on the year in Caribbean tech that was, and what might be in store for us in 2025.

Introducing our guest

Telojo “Telly” Valerie Onu has been at the forefront of digital financial innovation and ecosystem building with over 20 years of experience as a Financial and Impact Innovator, Digital Economist and Digital Transformation Expert. She is a thought leader and a co-author of The Insurtech Book and The Wealthtech Book.

She is the Head of Governance and Execution for the Bantu Blockchain Foundation, a Seychelles Foundation with offices in Lagos, Nigeria, which governs the Bantu Network Infrastructure. She is also the International Director of Governance and Compliance for the JD Euroway Finance Group (Private Banking), which is headquartered in Canada, and is also the Director of Governance and Compliance and a Transactions Specialist for JDE FINEX, a regulated institutional digital asset exchange and liquidity provider.

Telly is the Founder of Valerie Capital (formerly Beyond Capital Market), a digital financial market infrastructure (DFMI) and digital asset management firm focused on embedded and alternative finance.  She is also the Founder of Quintessence Consulting Inc., a global strategy and management consulting firm that has led multimillion-dollar investment facilitation and transformation projects and their implementation.

Carlton Samuels is an International Consultant and heads Carlton Samuels and Associates, which specialises in areas such as technology in business strategy, ICT policy development, business process re-engineering and ICT in education. He was the Chief Information Officer and University Director of IT at The University of the West Indies (UWI). He is also an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Library and Information Studies, the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the UWI in Jamaica.

Carlton has an extensive portfolio of volunteer work in the areas of ICT for Development (ICT4D), Internet Governance and Technology in Education. He is a member of the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) of ICANN, a foundation member and the inaugural Secretary for the Latin America and Caribbean Regional At-Large Advisory Organization (LACRALO) of ICANN and an Advisory Board member for the Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative. He is a member of the Advisory Committee for the National Information Systems (ACNIS) in Jamaica, a member of ICT4D Jamaica and the Board Committee for ICT Governance for both Human Employment and Resource Training /National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA) and the Scientific Research Council (SRC). Carlton has also been a member of the CARICOM ICT Task Force, a regional ICT leadership position charged with developing a cohesive ICT/Digital policy framework for Caribbean governments.

Insights into our conversation

Similar to previous years, the structure of the discussion is kept simple and is guided by the following questions:

• What were the year’s big ICT/tech issues in the Caribbean region?
• Were there issues that gained more traction than they had anticipated, and were there ones that fell short of their expectations?
• What ICT/tech issues will be big in the Caribbean region in 2025?
• What issues should policymakers focus on addressing in 2025?

Both Telly and Carlton tend to keep tabs on numerous tech segments, which is reflected in this conversation. It was thus interesting to gain some insight into the various developments that have been occurring, the challenges being experienced, and what might be needed to achieve a more meaningful impact.

Having said this, the Caribbean region is ripe with potential and appears to be poised for a true digital transformation. It does, however, require a concerted effort to leverage existing opportunities, and being clear and intentional in the goals that ought to be achieved.

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Telojo “Telly” Valerie Onu 
• Carlton Samuels
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 284: Deep tech, impact innovation and how the Caribbean region should be leveraging them, with Telly Valerie Onu
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 277:  Capitalising on Caribbean country code top-level domains with Carlton Samuels and Lance Hinds
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 216: Digital skills in the Caribbean region, with Dr Barbara Reynolds and Carlton Samuels
• Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS)
• PAPSS press release, CARICOM Central Banks adopt PAPSS for intra-regional trade transactions
• Sunshine (Trinidad and Tobago)
• QuickCart
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 203: From side hustles and labours of love, to flying high as a successful entrepreneur, with Monique Powell
• Boosting Innovation Growth & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BIGEE)
• Meta Llama

Images credit:  T Onu;  C Samuels;  Freepik;  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay); rawpixel.com (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

Although we may all be hyper-aware of the term ‘innovation’, it still seems to be an elusive concept that few people seem to truly understand. As a result, we still have people, organisations and even countries claiming to be fostering innovation, but not appearing to produce any meaningful results.  

We thus thought it opportune – especially with yearend approaching and we start making plans and goals for 2025 – to revisit this episode we recorded with Professor Patrick Hosein that kicked off the innovation series we did in 2019. So, if your organisation is hoping to be more innovative in 2025, or national goals are being prepared, this (relatively) short conversation with Professor Hosein packs a punch!

Introducing our guest

Professor Patrick Hosein attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he obtained five degrees including a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has worked at Bose Corporation, Bell Laboratories, AT&T Laboratories, Ericsson and Huawei, and has published extensively with over 150 refereed journal and conference publications.

Patrick holds 41 granted patents in the areas of telecommunications and wireless technologies. He was nominated for the Ericsson Inventor of the Year award in 2004, was the Huawei US Wireless Research Employee of the Year for 2007 and is a 2015 Anthony Sabga Caribbean Laureate for Science and Technology. He is presently the administrative and technical contact for the .tt top-level domain and the Chief Executive Officer of the TTNIC and a Professor of Computer Science at the University of the West Indies. His present areas of research include Applied Data Science, Operations Research and Performance and Pricing Optimisation for Cellular Networks.

Insight into our conversation

Although this conversation with Professor Hosein is over five years old, it is still as relevant today as it was when it was first recorded. One of the points he made that has stayed with me is the excitement young graduates tend to have at the prospects of applying what they have learnt, working on exciting projects, and, ultimately, changing the world.

However, all too often, the actual workplace is a soul-sucking experience that throws cold water on their hopes and dreams. It is only those who are especially driven and perhaps have connections (and luck!) will leave their home countries to seek better and more enriching opportunities.

Below are key of the questions that drove our conversation.

1. What might Caribbean countries be doing wrong with regard to fostering innovation
2. Who should be driving innovation: Government and/or the private sector?
3. Recognising that innovation tends to require lots of resources, especially money, how can Caribbean countries still foster innovation, and/or justify the spend needed?
4. Through schools and universities, we gain knowledge and certain skills, which are crucial foundational elements, but are they – in fact – fostering innovation?
5. Why is it crucial to focus on problem formulation when trying to find a solution to a problem?
6. How important is it to develop and nurture a culture of patents, and by extension, Intellectual Property, when trying to foster innovation?
7. What might be some of the important elements that are still missing in the Caribbean, in order to foster innovation?

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Professor Patrick Hosein
• TTLab
• TTLab Publications 
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 237: Revisiting tech innovation in the Caribbean region and at TTLAB in Trinidad and Tobago
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 069:  Fusing academic research, innovation and developing practical solutions for industry, with Professor Patrick Hosein 
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICT 039:  Creating a more enabling environment for innovation in the Caribbean, with Professor Patrick Hosein
• ICT Pulse Podcast episode, ICTP 016: Pioneering the use of country-level domain names in the Caribbean, with Professor Patrick Hosein of TTNIC
• University of the West Indies (St Augustine Campus)
• Trinidad and Tobago Network Information Centre (TTNIC)
• Bell Labs
• AT&T
• AT&T Labs Research | AT&T
• Ericsson 

Images credit:   P Hosein; rawpixel.com (Freepik); Gerd Altmann (Pixabay);  Jannoon028 (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell