VerifyTT Positioned the Country as a Regional Model for Trusted, Citizen-Centred Digital Public Services
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago further strengthened its reputation as a regional leader in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) when the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT), through iGovTT, partnered with the international 50-in-5 initiative to host “The Caribbean Catalyst: VerifyTT and the Next Generation of Public Services.”
The global webinar brought together policymakers, digital transformation leaders, implementation partners and international development organisations to exchange practical experiences on building secure, inclusive and interoperable digital public systems. The event highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s growing role as both an innovator and a knowledge partner in the global movement to modernise public services through Digital Public Infrastructure.
At the centre of the discussion was VerifyTT, Trinidad and Tobago’s national digital credentials platform, which has emerged as one of the Caribbean’s leading success stories in Digital Public Infrastructure implementation. The platform demonstrated how trusted digital credentials can strengthen public confidence, reduce fraud and administrative burdens, and enable faster, more seamless delivery of government services.
Trinidad and Tobago’s implementation journey is increasingly being recognised across the Caribbean and beyond. In recent months, governments and institutions have looked to iGovTT and VerifyTT as a practical model for their own digital transformation efforts. The company recently hosted a Commonwealth of Learning Study Tour, welcoming delegates from Namibia, Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis to examine the country’s approach to implementing trusted digital credentials. iGovTT was also invited by the Government of Jamaica to share its technical expertise based on the VerifyTT experience during their Digital Wallet Workshop, reflecting growing international interest in Trinidad and Tobago’s experience.
Throughout the webinar, speakers explored the country’s experience in implementing Digital Public Infrastructure and open-source technologies, noting that while these approaches significantly reduce licensing costs, long-term success depends on investment in governance, institutional capacity, collaboration and sustainable implementation.
The webinar featured a distinguished panel of local and international experts, including Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence; Ms. Ria Karim, Chairman of iGovTT; Ms. Veronica Vasconez, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Mr. Antony Muriithi, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI); Professor Davis Alexander, University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT); and Mr. Charles Bobb-Semple, Acting Chief Executive Officer of iGovTT.
Speaking on the panel, Chairman of iGovTT, Ria Karim, emphasized that successful Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) implementation is driven by institutional transformation, not technology alone. “Technology, especially from the Government’s perspective, and DPI in particular, is not about the actual systems. It is about the dignity of citizens; making sure that people feel seen, that they feel represented, they feel heard and their needs are recognized within the context of the way the government operates. We are therefore also speaking of inclusiveness; making sure that as we create technological solutions to enhance the delivery of government services, all persons in society, regardless of where they live, their socio-economic conditions, their technical capabilities, are taken into consideration and included from design to implementation”.
Ms. Karim further added, “We are very deliberate in how we measure success. Beyond implementation metrics such as the number of participating organisations and credentials issued, we focus on impact—whether adoption is growing, institutions are transforming how they work, and citizens are experiencing greater convenience and trust”.
As a member of the global 50-in-5 initiative, Trinidad and Tobago contributed practical implementation insights to an international community working to accelerate the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure. Its experience provided valuable lessons for governments seeking to build trusted, interoperable and people-centred digital ecosystems.
The discussions reinforced the Caribbean’s growing influence in shaping the global Digital Public Infrastructure agenda and demonstrated that solutions developed by small island developing states can provide scalable, practical models for countries worldwide.
In his opening address, Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith – Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence reiterated’ “Inclusion is equally fundamental. A digital service is not inclusive merely because it is available online. It must be usable by persons with disabilities, older citizens, people with limited digital confidence and communities facing barriers to connectivity or access to suitable devices.
Consequently, we must maintain appropriate assisted and non-digital channels while expanding digital literacy, connectivity and access. Digital transformation must broaden participation; it must never become a new barrier between citizens and the State”.
By openly sharing its successes, challenges and lessons learned, Trinidad and Tobago reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and international collaboration. Through initiatives such as VerifyTT, the country is not only advancing its own digital transformation but is also helping to shape how governments across the Caribbean and the wider global community deliver trusted, secure and inclusive public services.
As countries continue to modernise government, Trinidad and Tobago’s experience stands as compelling evidence that Digital Public Infrastructure is far more than a technology initiative, it is a strategic public policy investment that strengthens trust, improves service delivery and creates lasting public value.
