A senior delegation from Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Information Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy recently took part in the 2026 Regional Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Forum hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as part of a broader regional push to modernize public service delivery through robust digital frameworks. The two-member national delegation comprised Isoke Perry, Director of the country’s eGovernment division, and Desiree Zachariah, Manager of Business and Data Analysis, who joined over 150 cross-sector stakeholders at the event spanning government leadership, global development partners, tech practitioners and digital policy specialists. Over the course of the multi-day gathering, participants dove deep into actionable strategies to build national digital systems that are secure, cross-compatible, and accessible to all segments of the population, with dedicated sessions covering core DPI building blocks: universal digital identity frameworks, integrated digital payment rails, standardized cross-agency data exchange protocols, robust cybersecurity guardrails, open-source digital public goods, tamper-proof verifiable credentials, cross-government system interoperability, and sustainable financing models for long-term digital infrastructure rollout. For the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, the forum served as a targeted knowledge-sharing platform to identify proven, context-appropriate solutions that align directly with the country’s ongoing digital transformation roadmap, which prioritizes expanded eGovernment service access, more rigorous and ethical management of public sector data, and smoother cross-departmental coordination across government agencies. One of the highest-priority discussion tracks focused on digital interoperability, a foundational design principle that allows disparate government information systems to share verified data quickly and without security risks. When deployed effectively, these interconnected systems eliminate redundant data entry requirements, cut down on unnecessary administrative paperwork, and create far more streamlined experiences for citizens and business owners seeking services across multiple government departments. The delegation’s participation also underscores the government’s recognition that successful, user-centric digital service delivery cannot exist in isolation: it must be paired with rigorous, well-resourced data management and analytical capacity to ensure systems deliver tangible public value. For Antigua and Barbuda, a fully realized national DPI ecosystem stands to deliver a host of measurable quality-of-life improvements for local citizens, residents, and registered businesses alike: fewer mandatory in-person visits to government office locations, no repeated submission of identical personal information across separate agencies, drastically faster turnaround times for permit and benefit applications, and expanded access to critical public services via digital channels for communities that have historically faced geographic or logistical barriers to in-person support. Forum attendees emphasized that unlocking these full benefits will demand coordinated long-term action: intentional strategic planning, targeted institutional capacity building, sustained public and private investment, upskilling for public sector workforces, and ironclad regulatory safeguards to protect personal data privacy and defend digital systems from evolving cyber threats. A standout highlight of the event was a series of on-the-ground case study presentations from Dominican Republic government officials, who walked delegates through their country’s award-winning national digital government architecture, including its fully operational interoperability framework and the widely adopted “Soy Yo RD” verifiable digital identity credential program, offering a concrete, real-world blueprint for other Caribbean nations to adapt as they build out their own DPI ecosystems.
Antigua and Barbuda ICT officials attend regional forum on improving digital government services
