1Digital Economy for Latin America and the Caribbean - Country Diagnostic: JamaicaAdministrd bPublic Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure AuthorizedApril, 2024Country Diagnostic: JamaicaDIGITAL ECONOMY FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEANPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized 2Digital Economy for Latin America and the Caribbean - Country Diagnostic: JamaicaDigital Economy for Latin America and the CaribbeanCountry Diagnostic: JamaicaApril 2024DDTReport No: © 2024 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reservedThis work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, col-ors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.Rights and PermissionsThe material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowl-edge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Attribution— Please cite the work as follows: “World Bank. 2024. LAC Digital Economy: Country Diagnostics: Jamaica. © World Bank.”All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. 4Digital Economy for Latin America and the Caribbean - Country Diagnostic: JamaicaTABLE OF CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11ABBREVIATIONS � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �12EXECUTIVE SUMMARY � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �15OVERVIEW � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �18 1� INTRODUCTION � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �36 2� DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �432.1. The importance of digital infrastructure: Enabling inclusive digital transformation in Jamaica . . . . . . . 442.2. Current state of digital infrastructure: High prices and low quality and usage of broadband services are barriers to inclusive digital transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452.3. Recommendations: Improving data and device affordability, expanding a resilient backbone network, and strengthening the institutional and legal framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553� DIGITAL PUBLIC PLATFORMS � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �603.1. The importance of digital public platforms: Improving service delivery and core government systems . . 613.2. Current state of digital public platforms: Opportunities to improve service delivery and core government services through digital transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 623.3. Recommendations: Clarifying the political and institutional authority, centralizing management of ICT assets, and adopting a “building-blocks” approach to services online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744� DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �814.1. The importance of digital financial services: Key enabler for financial inclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 824.2. Current state of digital financial services: Toward financial inclusion through the interoperability of JAM-DEX accounts, payment instruments, and payment services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834.3. Recommendations: Enhancing payment system infrastructure, expanding access for non-bank payment service providers to the ACH, and updating the legal/regulatory framework for fintech and open banking . . . 935� DIGITAL BUSINESSES � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �