Powering Up: T&T’s ICT Advantage

Over the past two decades, Trinidad and Tobago’s ICT sector has undergone a drastic transformation, evolving from manual, paper-based processes to cloud-based platforms and business intelligence tools. While these advances are significant, Desmond Dougall, Co-Founder and CEO of GISCAD Group, stresses that digital tools are only part of the equation: “Technology really is a tool, and sustainable growth requires a more strategic, innovative, and regionally focused mindset.”

Beyond Borders: GISCAD’s Blueprint
Founded in 2003, GISCAD Group specialises in geographic information systems (GIS), fleet management technologies, engineering/construction software, and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, delivering operational intelligence across the Caribbean. Although Trinidad remains a core market, it accounts for only one-third of the company’s revenue. The remaining two-thirds come from regional operations in Guyana, Barbados, and Jamaica, partners in other territories, and clients across approximately 30 markets. GISCAD’s current focus is expansion into the Dominican Republic and Panama.

GISCAD’s regional approach is not just about growth – it’s also a response to market realities. One of the biggest challenges is the persistent foreign-exchange shortage, which inflates the cost of software licensing, cloud infrastructure, and hardware procurement denominated in US dollars. This erodes margins and delays critical technology refreshes for local firms. By earning foreign currency in external markets, GISCAD’s regional footprint has shielded the company and enabled it to deliver solutions to clients in Trinidad and Tobago in local currency, insulating them from FX volatility. This is just one example of the complex challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago’s ICT ecosystem.

The Path to Sustainable Digital Progress
Since the early 2000s, the ICT landscape has shifted dramatically, with companies increasingly adopting digital solutions. Despite rapid digital advances, significant challenges persist. Dougall identifies the greatest impediment to digital transformation as the lack of data sharing and standardised systems. “Data dies. Data gets less valuable over time… if you don’t use data on a timely basis, its value degrades,” he warns. The region routinely relies on outdated demographic and market data – often a decade old – for critical business decisions. According to Dougall, this reliance on legacy information is a symptom of slow digital adoption, with many organisations clinging to outdated processes and systems.

To address these challenges, he advocates for establishing common standards and frameworks for data transfer and sharing, coupled with the implementation of a national digital transformation initiative that yields measurable outcomes. Dougall emphasises that “technology is not going to do the trick alone. Technology must be integrated with effective processes and strong people systems.” He further stresses that legislative and procedural changes must accompany technological deployments to ensure lasting impact.

Looking at the bigger picture, Dougall notes that the Caribbean remains five to ten years behind the developed world – not just in technology adoption, but in technological thinking. To close this gap, he urges businesses and governments to adopt a long-term perspective, planning for the next generation rather than the next fiscal year.

Positioning T&T as the Caribbean’s Digital Leader
Across both the public and private sectors, Trinidad and Tobago is embracing commercial solutions such as fleet management, 3D modelling, CRM and GIS analytics – reshaping operations, facilitating citizen and consumer-centric service delivery, and driving data-driven decision-making. The next wave of innovation, Dougall observes, is artificial intelligence (AI). He predicts that large language models will play a critical role across all business functions.

Emerging opportunities in cloud data centres, fintech, e-health, and telemedicine also present viable pathways for Trinidad and Tobago to position itself as a regional leader, leveraging its affordable electricity and well-educated workforce to host digital innovation hubs. By embracing robust governance structures and fostering long-term strategic thinking, Dougall believes the ICT sector can unlock sustained growth and resilience.

“There is no reason for smaller Caribbean economies to outpace us,” he asserts, underscoring Trinidad and Tobago’s potential to set the regional standard in digital innovation.