Barbados has launched a government-backed mobile application, centered on improving civic engagement and public service delivery, marking the first major step in the country’s broader national digital modernization strategy. According to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the app – built by local Barbadian talent instead of imported generic software – will cut through red tape to speed up state agency responses and boost government accountability to everyday citizens.
Developed by the Barbadian tech startup Touchstar Group under the guidance of lead developer Ramon Dummett, the app reimagines a beloved local cultural figure, Pearly from the classic *Bajan Bus Stop* television series, for 21st century civic life. Mottley emphasized that while national governments often prioritize large-scale economic and structural reforms, it is the small, unresolved daily community issues that shape public frustration and erode satisfaction with public services. Things like a leaking water pipe that goes unrepaired for days, with callers left stuck on hold for hours when they reach out to authorities, are exactly the frictions the new tool is designed to eliminate.
The platform simplifies citizen reporting into an intuitive three-step process: users submit a short description of an issue, tag its exact location via the phone’s GPS, and upload photo or video evidence to support their report. Powered by automated routing technology, the system analyzes each submission and sends it directly to the relevant government department, eliminating unnecessary manual sorting and delays that slow responses. The app is built around two core features that meet distinct user needs: “Ask Pearly” centralizes access to information for 155 government entities, providing clear details on opening hours, required documentation for services, and other frequently asked questions, while “Tell Pearly” manages direct incident reporting from the public.
Beyond civic reporting, the app integrates real-time data with the Barbados Transport Board, allowing commuters to track bus locations on live maps and access predictive traffic updates directly on their phone lock screens, cutting down on the uncertainty and frustration of waiting for public transit. Mottley even lightheartedly noted that the name “Tell Pearly” is intended to replace the frustrated four-letter words Barbadians often use when dealing with slow public service delivery, with the ultimate goal of easing public stress around accessing government support.
The Pearly app launch kicks off three back-to-back digital transformation rollouts planned by the Barbadian government. The second initiative, BimPay, a new real-time digital payment system developed by the Central Bank of Barbados, will launch at midnight on the coming Saturday. The third app, set to launch the following week, will enable users to pay utility bills and complete financial transfers directly through WhatsApp, eliminating the need for in-person queuing at government licensing offices.
A key point of pride for the government is that the Pearly app was developed locally, rather than purchasing a generic off-the-shelf solution from an international developer. Mottley highlighted that this decision not only supported local tech talent but also created homegrown intellectual property that can be exported as a prototype to other small island developing states (SIDS), which face many of the same public administration and service delivery challenges that Barbados does. “If you can use Barbados as the prototype to solve these problems, rest assured that there are 46 other small island states across the world that probably are experiencing similar problems,” she said, addressing the development team.
Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology Senator Jonathan Reid echoed that praise, commending the team for taking on the risk of building a custom solution tailored specifically to Barbados’ unique needs. He noted that effective modern leadership requires a willingness to experiment, learn quickly from setbacks, and adapt, rather than relying on pre-built imported solutions that do not fit local contexts. The project originated from a practical gap identified by Roy Morris, Director of Citizenship and Engagement, who needed a more efficient system to manage the high volume of daily public complaints. Reid explained that while the initial prototype required adjustments, the team worked through technical challenges to deliver a platform that will drastically improve government response times.
Reid added that the project serves as a model for local entrepreneurs, framing national challenges as opportunities to build innovative solutions that can have global impact. “Ultimately, we want to be a platform on which people could solve national problems but also create opportunities to create global businesses,” he said. “This could be taken—once done well—this could be taken abroad anyway, right? And it would have been a Barbadian IP with Barbadian ideas, Barbadian skills, using Barbadian data to serve the world.”