NASSAU, The Bahamas – Government officials and ministry representatives gathered at the Digital Transformation Unit (DTU) Office Monday, 26th May 2025 to mark the successful conclusion of the Digi Innovative Projects Grant Programme. This initiative welcomed Bahamian entrepreneurs to develop digital solutions with the goal of transforming the delivery of public services in The Bahamas.
Established as part of the Government’s Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness initiative, the conclusion of this programme signifies the government’s $1M commitment to leveraging technology to deliver citizen-focused public sector reform. This project was financed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed in collaboration with the Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB).
The ceremony recognised eight businesses which included Bahamian entrepreneurs who designed software applications to address what they view as current operational issues in specific government agencies. In attendance to honor the awardees and their projects were Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Department Heads, and other senior officials across several ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, National Security, Education, Public Works and Family Island Affairs, Public Service, the Department of Labour, Road Traffic, and the Post Office.
Minister of Economic Affairs, The Hon. Senator Michael Halkitis, was present to deliver remarks, commending the awardees for their contributions.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is transformative governance in action,” said Minister Halkitis. “Your projects now stand as proof of concept and, more importantly, as proof of potential. You have shown that the future of the Bahamas is not something we have to rely on others to build for us, but rather it is something we can plan, design, and build for ourselves right here.”
Minister Halkitis also acknowledged the Digi Innovative programme as a bold first step in shifting how government collaborates with citizens, stating, “We must ask ourselves, ‘How do we continue to innovate all facets of our government operations? How do we scale what works, support continued development, and ensure that good ideas prevail in the process?’ The Ministry of Economic Affairs, together with the talented professionals in the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Digital Transformation Unit, will continue to do our part to challenge the status quo.”
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mrs. Prenell King-Rolle in her remarks thanked the partners and agencies present for their support. She also spoke to the broader purpose of the initiative and its impact on public service reform.
“We know that many of the frustrations experienced by everyday Bahamians stem from government systems that have failed to evolve with the times,” said PS King-Rolle. “I think on the words of our PM on November 2022, and I quote, ‘These innovations will promote transparency in government transactions, reduce costs, improve the way government does business, and minimize bureaucracy.’ His words still ring true today, because the need for that transformation has not only grown more prevalent, but more urgent.”
Speaking on behalf of the key funding partner for the programme, Ms. Shirley Gayle, Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), highlighted the regional significance of their work.
“Governments worldwide are embracing digital transformation as a key enabler of development, and your government is no different,” said Ms. Gayle. “Today’s ceremony affirms the talent, creativity, and drive is present within public institutions in the Bahamas, and it is really rewarding to witness the results of this process and to celebrate those who have contributed toward its success.”
The overall programme winner was announced as Mr. Michael Flowers Jr., founder and CEO of Bahamas Agricultural Solutions. His team developed a web-based information system targeted to The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, designed to centralise data related to agricultural production, land use, and environmental monitoring across The Bahamas.