Mon | May 11, 2026

Diaspora conference participants eye tech, CSR partnerships

Published:Monday | June 24, 2024 | 12:05 AM
While visiting the ‘At Home with Digicel’ booth at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, St James, Prime Minister Andrew Holness received an update on the work of the Digicel Foundation across the country. Digicel Foundation Dir
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While visiting the ‘At Home with Digicel’ booth at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, St James, Prime Minister Andrew Holness received an update on the work of the Digicel Foundation across the country. Digicel Foundation Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams (right), highlighted the entity’s key projects and priorities which have so far positively impacted more than 800,000 lives. The prime minister was joined by Diaspora Conference chairman, President and CEO of VM Group, Courtney Campbell (left), and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications for Digicel, Elon Parkinson (second left).

Participants at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference have expressed interest in collaborating on tech-based initiatives, retail opportunities and philanthropic partnerships with local digital services provider, Digicel.

The ‘At Home with Digicel’ booth at the Conference held from June 16 to 19, 2024, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre was abuzz with attendees from over 15 countries, several of whom have expressed a desire to offer Digicel products and services overseas, especially in areas with large Jamaican populations. According to diaspora manager for Digicel, Andre McLean, “Our Vacation SIM is growing in popularity among members of the diaspora, while it continues to be a hit among tourists.”

He added, “In terms of Digicel top-up, prepaid plans and SIM cards, there’s a great deal of interest in serving the Caribbean region’s migrant community through retail and ‘mom and pop’ shops overseas.”

Participants also wanted to know more about utilising Digicel’s expanded fibre network to support their planned business ventures in the short to medium term. They were intrigued by the range of technologies and services offered by Digicel Business to support investments in real estate, agriculture, business process outsourcing and other ventures.

“Our multifaceted platforms cater to the connectivity component of every business strategy. We cater to the unique connectivity and data security needs of these entrepreneurs, thereby enabling them to unlock the full potential of their investments,” commented Director of Corporate and Government Relations Joy Clark. She also stated, “We are also focused on helping entrepreneurs in the diaspora to overcome the challenges they may face in deploying increasingly complex digital ecosystems for business. Local knowledge makes a big difference here, and our team of experienced professionals stand ready to power their purpose.”

The event also saw participants stepping up to show their support for, share their own ideas, and offering to support several philanthropic projects being put on by the Digicel Foundation.

Education and special needs continue to be high on the agenda for members of the diaspora,” commented CEO of the Digicel Foundation, Charmaine Daniels.

She added, “We were thrilled to see the levels of engagement and commitment, and we look forward to converting them into actions that will make a positive impact upon our communities.”

More than 1,000 attendees visited the ‘At Home with Digicel’ booth, which featured an array of technologies and opportunities for investing in the country’s digital economy and communities.

The four-day event, held under the theme, ‘Uniting for Jamaica’s Transformation: fostering peace, productivity and youth empowerment’, came at a time when Digicel is seeking to create bigger stepping stones for members of the diaspora to participate in investment initiatives, innovations, and social uplifting through the upgrade and expansion of its mobile and fibre networks across Jamaica.

To date, Digicel has invested over US$1.5 billion or (J$230 billion) in Jamaica since its inception in 2001.