Digital Economy in Dominica

The Digital Economy in Dominica is emerging as a central pillar of the country’s long-term development strategy, driven by an ambitious transformation agenda that aims to modernise governance, expand employment, and boost business resilience. This effort, led by the Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy, is guided by the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2022–2026, a roadmap developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is also aligned with broader regional efforts supported by the World Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) under the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP).

Foundations of Dominica’s Digital Strategy

Dominica’s digital journey began with a Digital Readiness Assessment conducted in 2021, which laid the groundwork for a coordinated and inclusive digital economy framework. The strategy that followed is structured around three key domains: People, Business, and Government. These interconnected pillars reflect a national commitment to empowering citizens with digital skills, enabling enterprises to adopt technology, and modernising the delivery of public services through digital platforms.

A core principle of the strategy is inclusion, ensuring that remote communities, youth, the elderly, and marginalised groups are not left behind in the digital shift. This focus on equity is evident in launching programs like Work Online Dominica, which targets unemployed or underemployed individuals, and digital literacy workshops tailored for groups such as the Kalinago community.

Government and Governance in the Digital Age

Digital governance is a significant focus of Dominica’s transformation. The country is taking bold steps to transition from manual public services to efficient e-government platforms. Ministries are now adopting digital tools for document management, communication, and public engagement. A significant leap forward was the implementation of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) under CARDTP, which digitally links all public health centers and hospitals, enabling faster patient registration and more coordinated care.

Additionally, legislation has been introduced to regulate data protection, electronic transactions, and digital identity. These legal frameworks are essential in establishing public trust and ensuring compliance with international cybersecurity and privacy standards. The digital identity initiative, in particular, is expected to streamline access to public services while improving transparency.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of any thriving digital economy. Dominica is investing heavily in broadband expansion, focusing on reaching underserved rural areas. In partnership with regional agencies and the World Bank, the country is strengthening its fibre optic networks, increasing bandwidth, and supporting disaster-resilient telecoms infrastructure. The government views internet access not as a luxury but as a fundamental right necessary for education, commerce, and civic participation.

The national digital backbone also includes a series of Community Resource Centres, digital learning hubs, and co-working spaces in key locations across the island. These centres provide access to high-speed internet and digital tools for those who may not have them at home, bridging the digital divide and fostering innovation at the grassroots level.

Empowering People through Digital Skills

Any digital strategy’s success ultimately depends on its people’s capacity. Recognising this, the government has launched several programs to build digital skills and create pathways to remote employment. Work Online Dominica is the flagship initiative in this regard. The 12-week program provides training in freelancing, digital marketing, virtual assistance, and other online skills, enabling participants to earn income from international clients.

Participants are selected through an application process, and many have secured work with clients in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Some graduates have even formed small businesses offering digital services, beginning a new economic activity on the island.

Other initiatives include introductory courses in coding and ICT for students, ongoing training for public servants, and specialised workshops for women and vulnerable youth. Partnerships with international NGOs and regional tech experts support these.

Business Innovation and SME Empowerment

Dominica’s private sector is encouraged to embrace technology through targeted support and funding mechanisms. The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) has been instrumental in offering direct support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digital innovation grants, mentorship, and access to e-commerce platforms.

Rather than merely providing equipment, the program facilitates training in online business models, financial technology tools, customer relationship management software, and data analytics. Workshops have helped business owners transition from traditional brick-and-mortar models to online storefronts, many using locally developed platforms or international tools like Shopify, PayPal, and QuickBooks. This shift also contributes to the formalisation of informal businesses, with more entrepreneurs registering their operations to take advantage of government incentives and export opportunities.

Special focus has been placed on agro-processors, craft vendors, and creative industries. For example, farmers are now experimenting with mobile apps for inventory tracking and digital marketing of organic produce. In Portsmouth and Mahaut, fish vendors and seamstresses have begun digitising their customer outreach using smartphones and WhatsApp Business accounts.

New incubation spaces and co-working labs are supporting the rise of digital entrepreneurship. Some are based at Dominica State College, while others are part of wider regional hubs supported by the OECS Commission and international partners.

Cybersecurity and Legal Reforms

As Dominica’s digital ecosystem grows, so do concerns around online safety, data privacy, and digital fraud. Recognising these challenges, the government has introduced several policies and legislative frameworks to secure its digital infrastructure and citizen data.

The Cybercrime Act has been updated to address emerging threats, and a Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (CSIRT) has been established, which is currently underway in partnership with regional cybersecurity agencies. The CSIRT will be tasked with monitoring digital threats, advising businesses and government agencies on data protection, and responding to breaches when they occur.

Data protection laws modelled after international standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are also being drafted. These laws will ensure that citizens have rights over their personal information and that organisations have clear obligations regarding their handling.

These legislative efforts are reinforced by public education campaigns on cyber hygiene, password safety, and phishing awareness, especially targeting youth, seniors, and public officers. Local banks and telecom providers have also joined these efforts to enhance online financial safety and protect customers from digital fraud.

Digital Inclusion in Education and Public Services

The education sector is one of the key beneficiaries of Dominica’s digital agenda. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, schools have been outfitted with computer labs, smart boards, and learning management systems. Over 100 educators have received training in online classroom tools and blended learning approaches.

Efforts are underway to integrate coding and digital problem-solving into the national curriculum. In 2023, pilot coding boot camps were launched in partnership with Israel-based education firms, targeting upper primary and secondary students. These camps are laying the foundation for a generation of tech-literate students who can participate in regional and global digital economies.

Meanwhile, the government continues to digitalise public services. Online portals for tax filing, business registration, passport applications, and bill payments are now operational or in advanced development stages. The Government Digital Service Portal, expected to be fully launched in 2025, aims to provide a one-stop platform for citizens to interact with multiple government departments.

In the health sector, the Health Management Information System (HMIS), currently implemented in over 50 clinics, has reduced wait times and improved data access. Medical practitioners now access patient histories and lab results through digital tablets, enhancing diagnosis and follow-up care.

Future Outlook and Development Trajectory

Dominica’s digital economy is poised for significant growth over the next decade, particularly as regional and international partners continue to provide support through funding, technical expertise, and knowledge-sharing platforms. Still, the country faces several hurdles, including connectivity gaps in remote communities, a lack of locally available advanced tech skills, and resistance to change in some sectors.

To address these challenges, the government plans to:

• Expand rural broadband under the Universal Service Fund initiative.
• Launch an official digital ID card for all citizens and residents.
• Finalise the CSIRT and the national data protection authority.
• Deepen ICT integration into teacher training and student testing.
• Facilitate fintech development, including mobile wallets and blockchain services for remittances.

The Ministry of Public Works and Digital Economy has also signalled intentions to explore smart-city concepts in Roseau, with features such as digital parking meters, sensor-based garbage collection, and solar-powered public Wi-Fi. Though modest compared to larger nations, these advancements represent meaningful steps toward modernising civic life in a small island developing state.

As global competition intensifies and digital markets evolve, Dominica’s strategy reflects a desire for economic diversification and recognition that survival and resilience in a climate-vulnerable region demand digital readiness. Dominica is carving out a place for itself in the global digital future by investing in people, reforming institutions, and strengthening infrastructure.