MIAMI, FLORIDA – May 20, 2026 – More than 200 cross-sector leaders, ranging from senior Caribbean government officials and regulatory bodies to global technology pioneers and private sector executives, closed out the second annual Amplify Summit on Friday with a collective call for urgent, coordinated action to advance the Caribbean region’s digital transition and build long-term economic and infrastructural resilience.
Hosted by Liberty Caribbean, the leading regional telecommunications provider that operates well-known brands including Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, this year’s summit brought together 80+ regional and international stakeholders under the overarching theme “Elevating the Caribbean’s Digital Future”. Over the course of the full-day convening, attendees collaborated to map out actionable, practical strategies to address the region’s most pressing digital gaps, from expanding affordable universal connectivity and upgrading core digital infrastructure to scaling homegrown innovation, cultivating skilled local tech workforces, and unlocking inclusive, sustainable economic growth across the bloc.
Discussions centered on eight high-priority areas that will define the Caribbean’s digital trajectory: artificial intelligence integration, cross-border cybersecurity, coordinated digital policy development, climate-resilient digital infrastructure, workforce upskilling, enterprise cloud transformation, and the digital modernization of two of the region’s core economic pillars: tourism and public services.
Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Caribbean, opened the summit by challenging regional leaders to move beyond theoretical dialogue and deliver coordinated, tangible progress. “The Caribbean has never been short on talent, grit or ambition. What we need right now is aligned strategy, decisive movement, and the courage to invest in the long-term future we want to build,” Smidts said in her keynote address. “Digital transformation is no longer a nice-to-have for developing regions. It is the foundational driver of economic growth, national resilience, and global competitiveness for small and medium economies alike. Amplify was not created just to be another talking shop – it exists to turn ideas into tangible solutions that improve lives and strengthen local economies across the Caribbean.”
Balan Nair, President and CEO of Liberty Latin America, Liberty Caribbean’s parent company, emphasized that sustained public-private collaboration is the only way to unlock the region’s full digital potential. “The Caribbean stands at a critical turning point, where technology can act as a transformative force to expand opportunity, close inclusion gaps, and position the region as a hub for global innovation,” Nair noted. “Turning that potential into reality requires intentional partnership, patient long-term investment, and a shared commitment to building digital ecosystems that are secure, resilient, and ready for whatever technological shifts come next. The conversations we had at this summit confirm the region already has both the capability and the visionary leadership to move forward with confidence.”
Senior government leaders from across the Caribbean echoed that call for coordinated, urgent action. Senator the Hon. Jonathan Reid, Barbados’ Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, underscored that policy and regulatory alignment across the region is critical to keep pace with global digital change. “Global digital transformation will not slow down to wait for the Caribbean to catch up,” Reid said. “We have to make sure our policy frameworks, our education systems, and our core infrastructure are all aligned to prepare our people and our economies for the digital era. What we need right now is coordinated regional action that empowers innovators and guarantees no community – regardless of size or location – gets left behind.”
Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, framed digital transformation as an existential priority for small island developing states across the region, which face disproportionate climate and economic volatility. “For small island nations like those across the Caribbean, digital transformation is far more than just upgrading outdated systems. It is the key to building long-term resilience, advancing sustainable development, and creating new economic opportunity that does not rely on traditional vulnerable sectors,” Hilaire explained. “We have a unique opportunity right now to position the Caribbean as a globally competitive innovation hub, powered by our own creativity, our regional collaboration, and our entrepreneurial talent. But that future can only be achieved with bold leadership and cross-sector partnerships that deliver real investment and change.”
A consistent throughline across all summit panels and discussions was a shared recognition that basic connectivity is no longer enough to drive growth. Instead, leaders agreed the region must prioritize building end-to-end digital ecosystems that support local entrepreneurship, streamline and expand access to public services, accelerate private sector innovation, and strengthen the region’s ability to withstand economic, climate and public health crises. Attendees also repeatedly highlighted the urgent need to invest in local talent development, ensuring Caribbean workers have the in-demand digital skills to fully participate in and benefit from the fast-evolving global digital economy.
The 2026 Amplify Summit included contributions and support from a broad roster of global and regional partners, including Caribbean national governments, IDB Invest, Guardian Holdings Limited, Sagicor Bank, Amazon Web Services, SpaceX, Sierra AI, Amdocs, regional academic leaders, and Liberty Caribbean’s executive leadership team.