The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Trinidad and Tobago has launched strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening digital public infrastructure (DPI) and mobilizing local innovation to tackle pressing social challenges.
Central to these efforts is the UNDP Accelerator Lab, part of a global UN initiative designed to solve development issues through the integration of local technologies, digital tools, and multi-sectoral partnerships.
Since 2021, the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Trinidad and Tobago has spearheaded a series of innovation challenges across diverse sectors, with a special focus on financial inclusion. According to a recent UNDP blog, these challenges bring multiple benefits, promoting citizen leadership, fostering partnerships, and opening up training and development opportunities for local communities.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Transformation
Aligned with these innovation efforts, UNDP Trinidad and Tobago is advancing DPI as a key pillar of its digital transformation agenda. DPI systems—such as digital IDs, financial inclusion mechanisms, and data-sharing platforms—are at the forefront of this transformation. The aim is to streamline public services, particularly for underserved and marginalized populations.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with UNDP and the CAF Development Bank, recently announced a digital support facility for Caribbean nations at the “Digital Pathways for SIDS” Conference. This facility will offer funding and technical support to assist in the rollout of DPI systems across the region, reinforcing a unified approach to digital governance.
Improving Access to Essential Services through Digital ID
The DPI initiative prioritizes digital ID systems as a means to improve access to critical services. According to a UNDP blog, these systems can empower citizens, allowing them to access services on their own terms and simplifying interactions with the government. Trinidad and Tobago’s potential adaptation of a digital ID model, inspired by India’s Aadhaar system, is anticipated to reduce fraud, increase transparency, and streamline essential services.
India’s success with its Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which processed over 100 billion transactions in 2023, serves as a benchmark for the potential impact of DPI systems. The UNDP report highlights that effective DPI frameworks alone could increase GDP growth by as much as 33 percent and help economies achieve growth targets up to three years faster.
Community-Centric and Inclusive Approach
Recognizing the importance of a community-centered approach, the UNDP engages with local stakeholders to address privacy, data protection, and accessibility concerns. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that digital transformation benefits are shared equitably and sustainably across the nation.
Through its digital innovation and DPI initiatives, UNDP Trinidad and Tobago is positioning itself as a leader in the Caribbean’s digital evolution, laying the groundwork for transformative growth and inclusive development across the region.
