Results
- This engagement expanded high-speed internet coverage across the Caribbean from 30% in 2012 to over 75% in 2024, connecting over 70,000 people (as of 2021) and counting. In Saint Lucia alone, connectivity surpasses 78%, with data costs falling from $3.50 to $2.23 per month.
- Across these initiatives, over 11,000 people pursued IT/ITES certifications, achieving up to a 65% employment rate among those with technical qualifications. Some graduates saw salary increases of around 19%, collectively contributing to nearly 5,000 new ICT jobs.
- Smart classroom upgrades and trainings are being rolled out across the region—for example, St. Lucia now has 20 digital classrooms serving 4,500 students and supported by 35 trained teachers, with vocational streams offering globally recognized digital certificates to learners aged 11–17.
- 250+ businesses received consulting or equipment support, while nine innovation centers launched 63 ICT-based solutions—from software applications to prototype designs—driving entrepreneurship. In Nicaragua, public and private partners mobilized $45 million toward these efforts, supplemented by further investments that boosted ICT exports from 11.2% to 21.8% of total exports.
- Across the region, women constitute up to 54% of new broadband adopters, expanding economic possibilities for underserved groups. Enhanced connectivity, specialized training, and vocational pathways foster a more diverse talent base and greater social inclusion.
The Challenge
The Caribbean region faces a growing youth employment challenge, as outdated infrastructure and limited digital skills continue to constrain economic opportunities and resilience. For much of the last decade, dependence on legacy copper networks led to high prices, low bandwidth, and widespread coverage gaps. Schools lacked the internet capacity to serve large student populations, and slow speeds eroded the competitiveness of key industries like tourism. Education systems also rarely emphasized digital competencies as a core outcome. At the same time, emerging IT/IT enabled services (ITES) sectors struggled with underdeveloped broadband infrastructure and a shortage of job-ready talent, limiting the region’s ability to attract investment. Women and young people were particularly affected, with fewer accessible pathways to build digital skills or launch tech-driven enterprises. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for reliable connectivity and market-relevant ICT training to support remote learning, employment, and entrepreneurship - especially in marginalized groups.
WBG Approach
Across the Caribbean, governments recognized that reliable digital infrastructure and relevant ICT skills were crucial to creating jobs and spurring inclusive growth. With support from the World Bank Group through the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP), they pursued a joint procurement model for broadband networks, leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to lower costs and guarantee high-quality, reliable service. This investment in resilient infrastructure, especially in the disaster-prone islands, ensures that people have long-term and reliable access to digital services. In tandem, they invested in internationally recognized IT/ITES training and certification programs to equip youth and entrepreneurs with hands-on skills aligned with industry needs. Business incubation support, seed grants, and innovation centers further promoted entrepreneurship and local tech solutions. To develop human capital and ensure that the region’s populations have the digital skills they need to succeed, the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) has equipped students and schools with interactive digital tools, provided advanced teacher training, and created digital camps for youth.
