The Avasant report, titled “Jamaica“Jamaica” represents much more than just an island in the Caribbean; it is a symbol of cultural vibrancy, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of ident… – Forward to the Digital Age,” examines Jamaica’s digital readiness and competitive positioning in the global digital economy. It highlights the nation’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for embracing emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchainBlockchain is like a super-smart notebook that lives on the internet, and instead of one person keeping it, lots of people have copies of it all at th…. The framework for this assessment is the Digital Competitiveness Radar View, which evaluates digital infrastructure, human capital, and enabling ecosystems.

Key Findings:

1. Future-Ready Infrastructure:
   • Jamaica has foundational ICT infrastructure, including Tier III-certified data centers and a robust submarine cable network. However, high energy costs impede further advancements.
   • Initiatives like the National Identification System (NIDS) and the Jamaica Open Data Portal are pivotal to future digital readiness.
2. Enabling Ecosystem:
   • Government efforts, such as the Strategic Public-Sector Transformation Programme, focus on digitizing public services.
   • However, Jamaica ranks low on global indices for e-government and digital service delivery.
3. Human Capital:
   • The country demonstrates a strong focus on IT talent development through initiatives like the Technology Advancement Programme (TAP) and partnerships with global companies.
   • Challenges persist in low internet penetration and inadequate STEM education outcomes.
4. Digital Transformation in Key Sectors:
   • IT-BPO: Jamaica remains a leader in outsourcing but faces disruption from automation.
   • Tourism: Technology integration is critical to meeting modern traveler expectations.
   • Entrepreneurship: Programs like Start-Up Jamaica and IGNITE foster innovation but require sustained support.

Critique of the Report:

1. Strengths:
   • The RadarView framework offers a comprehensive lens for assessing digital maturity.
   • It identifies critical gaps, such as energy costs and low digital adoption, while proposing actionable initiatives.
2. Weaknesses:
   • The report assumes linear progress without fully accounting for systemic barriers like socio-economic inequalities or bureaucratic inertia.
   • Limited emphasis on cybersecurity vulnerabilities beyond general statistics.
3. Opportunities for Improvement:
   • Greater focus on inclusive digital policies to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.
   • Detailed timelines and KPIs for achieving “first digital economy in the Caribbean” goals.

This summary encapsulates the report’s essence, making it easier for readers to grasp Jamaica’s digital competitiveness.