The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector in Jamaica is guided by two primary institutions – the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) and the Scientific Research Council (SRC). Both operate under the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport (MSETT).
History Jamaica’s earliest known scientific practices were those of the Taíno, a subgroup of the Arawak who migrated from South America c. AD 600–900. They detoxified cassava, farmed in conuco mounds for soil conservation and drainage, and used native plants such as Guaiacum for medicinal purposes. Some of these traditions continue to shape agriculture and medicine on the island today.
The British colonial period marked the start of institutionalised science and technology in Jamaica. In 1768, the island became the first in the Caribbean to adopt steam power for sugarcane processing, installing one of the earliest steam engines in the Americas. In 1779, the colonial government established the Bath Botanic Garden to introduce new plant species and conduct agricultural experiments in support of economic development. By 1798, Jamaica had built one of the first piped water systems in the Western Hemisphere, powered by a large Persian water wheel on the Martha Brae River. In 1845, Jamaica opened its first railway line – the second in the British colonies and among the earliest in the Western Hemisphere outside the United States – using rail technology to boost trade and connect communities. By the 1870s, innovations such as vacuum pans for sugar refining and steam‑powered mills were significantly improving the efficiency of sugarcane production. In 1879, Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave founded the Institute of Jamaica – the island’s first institution dedicated to the public dissemination of scientific knowledge. The 1890s brought another leap forward: in 1892, Kingston became one of the first cities in the world to have electricity – only thirteen years after Edison’s invention of the electric lamp. Alongside these advances, Jamaica was one of the earliest developing countries to enact measures guiding the use of science in managing its natural resources.
Post–Second World War advancements strengthened Jamaica’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) framework. The University of the West Indies (UWI), established in 1948, pioneered medical research on regional health challenges such as diabetes and sickle cell disease. Its Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, founded in 1958 and later incorporated into the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), made significant contributions to tropical metabolism and epidemiology. Around the same time, the Jamaica Institute of Technology was established and became the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) in 1959, focusing on technical education before evolving into the University of Technology, Jamaica in 1995. In 1960, the Scientific Research Council (SRC) was established to collect, evaluate and disseminate scientific and technical knowledge, advancing research in agriculture, industry, and environmental sustainability. These institutions supported applied research and innovation, such as the work of UWI chemist Professor Kenneth Magnus, who in the late 1950s discovered the antibiotic Monamycin – named after the Mona Campus. By the early 1960s, Jamaica had the beginnings of a scientific and technical infrastructure that offered potential for supporting post‑independence national development.
Science and technology policy
Background and Early Challenges Since gaining independence in 1962, Jamaica has pursued national development through industrialisation, education reform, and public sector modernisation. Science, technology, and innovation (STI) have gradually emerged as strategic tools to support these efforts – particularly in improving productivity, expanding infrastructure and enhancing service delivery. In 1990, the government formalised its commitment to STI with the National Science and Technology Policy – laying the groundwork for integrating innovation into key sectors. In 1993, the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) was established to advise on and coordinate national STI policy, whilst the Scientific Research Council (SRC) promoted nationwide scientific research and its application. However, systemic challenges (such as inadequate funding, fragmented governance, and limited resources) hindered progress in subsequent decades. In 2016, the government established the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET), followed by a Science Division in 2018 – marking a shift in national priorities by transferring Jamaica’s scientific leadership from the SRC and NCST to direct ministerial oversight. Building on this, the government intensified its focus through updated policies and national strategies to modernise infrastructure, increase investment, and better integrate STI into development goals. The overarching aim is to position Jamaica as a key contributor in information technology and scientific innovation.
National Development Strategy and Digital Infrastructure In 2009, Jamaica launched Vision 2030, a national development plan to achieve developed status by 2030. National Outcome 11, A Technology‑Enabled Society, prioritises digital innovation and technological advancement as key drivers of economic growth. In pursuit of this vision, the government has enacted a range of policies to build digital capacity. The National Broadband Initiative, launched in December 2020, aims for universal high-speed internet access by 2025, treating connectivity as a public good. By 2021, broadband covered 77 per cent of the population, with efforts ongoing to close gaps. The Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Programme, led by the Universal Service Fund, expanded from 13 hotspots in 2021 to over 380 by mid-2025, providing free access to hundreds of thousands in townships and underserved areas to promote digital inclusion. The Data Protection Act (2020), which came into effect in December 2023, establishes a framework for responsible data management. These initiatives aim to drive digital trust, broaden access and enable innovation.
Further reforms between 2019 and 2025 focused on strengthening research capacity, public-private collaboration, digital readiness and targeted enterprise development programmes. A key milestone was the finalisation of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy: Catalysing National Development, which replaced the 1990 framework. Other major initiatives included the National Digital Transformation Strategy, open data expansion, and STEM education recommendations. The Coding in Schools Programme, piloted in 2021 and integrated into the national curriculum, equips students with foundational skills in logic, creativity and digital problem-solving. The Amber HEART Coding Academy, a 2021 public-private partnership with the Amber Group, offers year-long residential training in software development and industry internships. Alongside this, the STEM Ambassador Programme, run by the Scientific Research Council, connects students with mentors for career guidance and workshops to sustain interest in science and technology. Workforce development was also advanced through the Global Services Sector Project (2019–2024), which enhanced post-secondary training systems and supported the transition into high-value digital occupations. The Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Programme, launched in 2020, funds start-ups, MSMEs and research commercialisation.
Intellectual Property Protection Jamaica has one of the strongest intellectual property (IP) regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean, ranking fourth in the 2024 International Property Rights Index. The Patents and Designs Act 2020, effective February 2022, simplified patent and design applications — aligning with the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs. Amendments to the Trade Marks Act in 2021 enabled Jamaica’s accession to the Madrid Protocol in March 2022, streamlining international trademark registration. Additionally, the Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 2022, effective September 2023, expedited examination processes and revised fee structures.
Nuclear Science and Regulatory Institutions
Since the 1980s, Jamaica has successfully operated a 20 kW SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear reactor — the only such facility in the Caribbean. Managed by the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) at the University of the West Indies, it supports neutron activation analysis for environmental monitoring, geochemical mapping, food studies, health research and agricultural trace-element analysis for land use and crop management. In 2015, over 30 years after commissioning, its core was converted to low-enriched uranium to enhance safety and non-proliferation.
In late 2020, Jamaica became the first CARICOM member state to establish an independent nuclear‐safety regulator — the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA). Industry Minister Audley Shaw noted the move would allow Jamaica to “confidently forge ahead” in applying nuclear science to national development and wealth-creation strategies. Under the 2019 Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Regulations, HSRA oversees facilities utilising ionising radiation and nuclear technology, including the SLOWPOKE reactor. Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Jamaica has strengthened its nuclear infrastructure — training technicians, certifying operators and upgrading facilities to meet international phytosanitary and export standards, while also expanding irradiation programmes into new fields such as agriculture and public health. This has positioned Jamaica as a regional leader in radiation safety, actively sharing expertise and best practices with other CARICOM member states.
Building on this foundation, in October 2024, Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to explore small modular reactors (SMRs) for cutting energy costs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. While deployment remains a long-term goal, this initiative aligns with Vision 2030 objectives of advancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable economic growth through advanced nuclear technology. Challenges include high upfront costs, complex licensing and the need for disaster‑resilient infrastructure in a hurricane‑prone region. Ongoing consultation with the HSRA and international partners aims to address these through phased research and capacity‑building.
Renewable Energy While nuclear energy remains a long-term ambition, Jamaica is actively expanding renewable electricity through solar, wind and hydropower. Key projects include:
Wigton Windfarm (Manchester): The largest wind energy facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, with a capacity of 63 MW.
Paradise Park Solar Farm (Westmoreland): A 51 MWp solar installation generating over 80 GWh annually—one of the region’s largest.
Maggotty Hydropower Plant (St. Elizabeth): A 7.2 MW facility commissioned in 2014, contributing to Jamaica’s hydropower capacity.
Battery Storage Systems: A 171.5 MW project is planned to replace the Hunts Bay Power Plant by 2028, integrating 133 MW of solar and 43.02 kWh of lithium-based storage to enhance grid stability.
Policies supporting these efforts include the Electricity (Net Billing) Regulations, 2022, which enable households and businesses to sell excess solar power to the grid through contracts with the Jamaica Public Service Company. Net billing also provides credit for surplus electricity exported, encouraging broader adoption of distributed renewable energy. Additionally, the Integrated Resource Plan 2, approved in 2024, sets a target of 50 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 through solar, wind, hydro and storage.