NASSAU, The Bahamas – Government officials, education leaders, and international partners gathered at Margaritaville Resort today to mark the official launch of DigiLearn Bahamas, a transformative national initiative providing free digital skills training to Bahamians of a wide range of ages and backgrounds, including young adults and professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, and senior citizens.
The DigiLearn Bahamas programme is being financed through the Government Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness loan agreement between the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The Digital Transformation Unit (DTU) is executing this programme in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training (MOE), facilitated by the University of The Bahamas (UB) and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).
Training will be available not only on New Providence and Grand Bahama, but throughout the Family of Islands.
In championing the launch, Dr. Maria Woodside-Oriakhi, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at UB, described digital literacy as essential to equity in education.
“At the University of The Bahamas, we see education as a public good and digital literacy as a fundamental right,” noted Dr. Woodside-Oriakhi.
“UB is redefining access through flexible class schedules, funded pathways, and partnerships that put learning directly into the hands of Bahamians.”
Dr. Linda A. Davis, President of BTVI, called DigiLearn a hands-on, practical response to today’s needs.
“My team at BTVI and I are proud to be part of this powerful national initiative designed to empower Bahamians with the skills they need in some of the most critical and in-demand digital fields today,” she said.
She noted that BTVI’s offerings, ranging from cybersecurity and e-commerce to computer literacy for seniors, prove that digital tools are as vital to tradespeople, cosmetologists, and entrepreneurs as they are to professionals in offices.
IDB Country Representative Shirley Gayle pointed to DigiLearn’s alignment with the bank’s strategic pillars.
“The initiative is an example of how the IDB puts into action the commitments we’ve agreed with the government, focusing on inclusion, resilience, and sustainability. This is about strengthening human capital and ensuring no Bahamian is left behind in this digital age.”
There to deliver remarks on behalf of the partnered ministries were Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs, and the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training.
Minister Halkitis formally introduced the programme, declaring it an initiative to “enhance the level of digital skills capacity free of cost to 7,250 Bahamians nationwide.”
He went on to share that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has made a $2.4M investment in this project to reflect the government’s commitment to building human capital and institutional resilience in the face of global technological shifts.
For the Ministry of Education, the launch represented a milestone. Minister Hanna-Martin said, “Today, we officially launch the DigiLearn Bahamas Initiative, a bold and inclusive programme designed to equip Bahamians with the digital literacy and skills essential for success in the twenty-first century.”
She urged families and communities to embrace it as a collective step toward equity in the digital era.
“When Bahamians are empowered to learn, they gain knowledge. When they are empowered to earn, they build prosperity. And when they are empowered to grow, they strengthen our society.”
In his video address, Prime Minister Davis placed DigiLearn within both national and international contexts.
“By equipping our people with free access to digital skills, we strengthen our ability to meet global challenges while building a stronger, fairer society here at home,” he stated.
He further linked the programme to priorities of competitiveness, resilience, and innovation under discussion at the United Nations General Assembly, underscoring that DigiLearn supports The Bahamas’ commitment to that global agenda.
Following the official proceedings, a press conference was held with key leaders within the programme’s partner institutions. Media representatives explored details of the rollout, including cohort schedules and Family Island engagement.
Bahamians are encouraged to follow DigiLearn Bahamas on social media @digilearnbahamas and visit digilearnbahamas.gov.bs for information on courses, schedules, and to sign up for upcoming cohorts.