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Digital Jamaica – Digital Transition Programme for Jamaica
Jamaica’s Digital Agenda is in line with its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy, with its stated Mission “To achieve greater social and economic development, through increased application of ICT in all sectors”. The associated activities are aimed at scaling up e-government infrastructure and services across the country; facilitating accelerated technological adoption and innovation by private sector; expanding digital competencies in the labour force and promoting a knowledge-based society.
In October 2023, the European Union (EU) launched the €9.5-million Digital Transition Programme for Jamaica, an innovative programme to increase inclusive access to and use of ICT across the country, in support of the country’s transition towards a digital economy and society.
Dubbed Digital Jamaica, the programme’s objectives are two-fold: to connect Jamaicans with improved broadband access while providing those working and learning in the education section with training in digital skills. The Digital Jamaica programme contributes to Jamaica’s national digital plan, which includes addressing the digital divide with rural areas, facilitating access to education and also technological innovation for the private sector.
Digital Jamaica is fully funded by the European Union (EU) through a financing agreement to achieve activities captured under three components:
- 1. The ICT Sector
- 2. The Education Sector
- 3. The MSME Sector
Project Details
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Start Date April 2023
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End Date April 2026
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Status In Progress
Project Partners
- European Union (EU)
- Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC)
Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) will facilitate the digital transitioning of existing Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as outlined in its Strategic Business Plan. Specifically, MIIC will support digital transitioning services delivered to MSMEs across the country through capacity building training along with appropriate resource materials provided to the JBDC, as well as its Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) network to enable them to conduct a series of specialised MSME training activities.
Resource materials will include curricula and training manuals. A continuum approach (supporting digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation based on the needs of the particular MSME), as well as a phased approach along the continuum as enterprises and entrepreneurs mature, will facilitate improved competitiveness, job creation and growth in a digital economy and society.
- Building the digital capacities of the JBDC and its SBDC network, promotes sustainability which will contribute to accelerated technology adoption by the MSMEs they serve.
- Combining ICT capacities and gender balance across activities will facilitate improved digital and gender inclusiveness.
- Improved ICT sector coordination will also be supported by Digital Jamaica through provision of technical assistance.
Taken together, the successful implementation of all 3 components will be a significant contributor to Jamaica’s transitioning activities towards becoming a digital economy and society – which underpins the overall objective of Digital Jamaica “To increase inclusive access to and use of ICT in Jamaica, in support of the country’s transitioning activities towards becoming a digital economy and society”.
