The Caribbean Export Development Agency has officially launched the Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute (CDTI), a new regional platform designed to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) assess their digital readiness, strengthen their capabilities, and compete more effectively in an increasingly digital global economy.

Supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, the CDTI, the CDTI has been developed to respond to the growing need for practical, accessible, and data-driven support for Caribbean businesses navigating digital transformation. The platform provides MSMEs with a structured pathway to evaluate their digital maturity, identify gaps, and access targeted learning resources to improve their use of digital technologies across business operations.

At the heart of the platform is the Digital Check-up, an online diagnostic tool that helps firms assess their digital capacity across key business dimensions, including digital technologies, communications and sales channels, organisation and people, data and analytics, strategy and digital transformation, and processes. Based on the results, businesses receive tailored recommendations that can guide their next steps and support more deliberate investment in digitalisation.

The launch also highlighted the CDTI’s e-learning platform, which offers a suite of self-paced courses and learning resources aimed at helping MSMEs strengthen core digital skills, improve online visibility and customer engagement, advance e-commerce readiness, make better use of data, and improve business efficiency through stronger digital processes.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lynette Holder, Chairperson of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, underscored the importance of digital transformation for the region’s private sector stressing that “Digital transformation is no longer optional, it’s essential” and that “For the Caribbean this reality carries both urgency and opportunity”.

Dr. Damie Sinanan, Executive Director of Caribbean Export, echoed these sentiments, noting that the “CDTI is a strategic intervention designed to give micro, small and medium-sized enterprises the digital tools, e-commerce capabilities, and operational efficiency they need to thrive.” He also encouraged national business support organisations to play an active role in ensuring that these tools reach entrepreneurs and that they “actively engage with the resources provided.” He added, “We need the collective action of the private sector to truly transform the Caribbean into a globally competitive economic hub.”

Also addressing the event, Sylvia Dohnert, Lead Private Sector Development Specialist at the IDB, reaffirmed the IDB’s commitment to supporting innovation, productivity, and private sector development across the Caribbean – “This Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute was a response to the promise that digital technology offers to Caribbean business, but also the difficulties that businesses in the Caribbean face in digital transformation”.

Kayla Grant, Executive Director of Compete Caribbean, described the initiative as “a powerful regional public good” that “will strengthen the ecosystem supporting MSMEs and help position Caribbean firms to compete, innovate, and grow in the digital global economy.”

Delivering remarks on the significance of digital transformation for the region, Hon. Philip Jackson, Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, highlighted the importance of building the digital capacity of Caribbean enterprises to ensure they can thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. He noted that “digital infrastructure and digital public infrastructure are critical to fostering this culture not only among citizens, but also among businesses.” He added that, “as we continue to share data and lessons learned, we are better able to make more informed and strategic decisions that support sustainability.”

The launch of the CDTI marks an important step in Caribbean Export’s continued efforts to build a more resilient, innovative, and competitive private sector. By combining digital diagnostics, practical learning, and regional data insights, the Institute is expected to play an important role in shaping how MSMEs across the Caribbean adapt to technological change and seize new market opportunities.

As Caribbean businesses face increasing pressure to modernise, adopt new tools, and respond to changing customer expectations, initiatives such as the CDTI will be critical in ensuring that MSMEs are not left behind, but are instead equipped to lead in the digital economy.

Watch the full launch here