Meet the Powerhouse Quietly Shaping the Caribbean’s Digital Future

In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, a vibrant community of computer technology experts is taking the lead in fostering solutions tailored to the Caribbean’s unique challenges.

Since its inception in 2010, the Caribbean Network Operators Group has been doing much more than simply reacting to technological change. It’s been driving it. Today, the group commonly known as CaribNOG plays a pivotal role in advancing the region's digital landscape.

“CaribNOG is not just an association; it's a community dedicated to supporting technology-enabled Caribbean development,” said Bevil Wooding, Director of Caribbean Affairs at the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) and co-founder of CaribNOG.

Across the region, the volunteer community has been quietly at work strengthening in-country network infrastructure, fostering homegrown expertise, and promoting cross-border collaborative solutions. At its helm, Wooding has captained a committed team of computer network engineers, administrators and operators.

Delivering remarks on September 11 at the opening of CaribNOG’s twenty-sixth regional gathering in St Kitts, Wooding spotlighted the digital achievements of St Kitts and Nevis.

“Through their efforts and in spite of many challenges, the government of St Kitts and Nevis over several administrations, and the people and businesses within the Federation, continue to shine as an example of digital development in the Caribbean,” he added.

Co-hosted by ARIN, CaribNOG 26 was held under the theme, “achieving digital independence,” and took place in the lead-up to St Kitts and Nevis’ fortieth anniversary independence celebrations.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Government has been working with the CaribNOG Network Engineering Services team to build and safeguard critical Internet infrastructure in the country. The results were on display on September 12, when a local Internet exchange point was officially launched in Basseterre.

“CaribNOG’s commitment to the Federation, and indeed the wider Caribbean, is for the long term. Together with our regional and international partners, such as the American Registry for Internet Numbers and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, we are committed to strengthening critical Internet resources and to promoting the continued creation of local digital content,” Wooding said.

The two-day conference took place at the Marriott Resort, Frigate Bay, St Kitts. It brought together business leaders, government officials, ICT professionals, academics, and members of civil society, alongside local, regional and international Internet development experts to discuss the increasing role of technology in business, government and society.