Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Jamaica and the Caribbean are advancing rapidly, driven by strong government initiatives, the private sector, a focus on climate resilience, and key regional players. The region is moving from basic mapping to integrating advanced technologies like AI (including GeoAI), big data, and cloud computing for more sophisticated applications.
State of GIS in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Jamaica
Jamaica has developed a mature GIS ecosystem, supported by strong participation from both government and the private sector. However, the high cost of software access and maintenance remains a significant barrier. While open-source platforms present alternatives, the investment required for capacity building and training continues to be a major challenge.
Government Integration of GIS
Over 50 government entities use GIS for core functions, including emergency management, land administration, and national security. In 2021, Jamaica signed a major enterprise licensing agreement with Esri, expanding GIS access to over 260 government bodies and 179 educational institutions.
National Infrastructure
The Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICJ) has been a pioneer for decades, and the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) is tasked with managing the national Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI).
Key Applications
GIS is used for a variety of critical development goals under the Vision 2030 plan, such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation business expansion, and sustainable planning. Specific applications include bus route optimization for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and mapping criminal “hot spots” for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for example.
The Wider Caribbean
Across the Caribbean, GIS is essential for addressing unique regional challenges like climate change and economic development. Organizations like the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) lead regional training and initiatives focused on geospatial data. The Caribbean GIS Conference, organized by URISA, also fosters regional networking. Many organizations utilize open geospatial data to improve governance, develop new services, and support journalism. Given the high risk of hurricanes, floods, and sea-level rise, GIS is heavily utilized for climate adaptation, hazard modeling, and the development of early warning systems.
Leaders and Positive Movers in the Caribbean Region
Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI)
Website: www.monagis.com
The GIS and software development hub for the University of the West Indies (UWI), MGI serves public and private sectors in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. MGI is at the forefront of integrating AI and GeoAI into GIS applications.
Spatial Innovision Limited: A regional leader and the Caribbean distributor for Esri, the global market leader in GIS software. The company has provided GPS and GIS solutions to hundreds of organizations across the Caribbean for decades.
National Land Agency (NLA): In Jamaica, the NLA launched the “Geoshare Jamaica” platform in 2020, a web-based service that centralizes and provides mapping solutions for government, private firms, and individuals.
The University of the West Indies (UWI)
The UWI campus in St. Augustine, Trinidad, has an Observation Geospatial Center that trains specialists from across Latin America and the Caribbean in geospatial technologies.
Making Positive Moves
Government of Jamaica (GOJ): The GOJ’s enterprise license agreement with Esri demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding the use of geospatial technology across all sectors of government and education.
Local government agencies: Entities like Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), National Works Agency (NWA), and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), ODPEM, MEGJC are constantly modernizing their GIS capabilities to improve service delivery and planning.
GisCAD Jamaica Limited: A newer, forward-thinking provider of geospatial and fleet management solutions that is expanding its presence in Jamaica and the Northern Caribbean.
Regional developers and start-ups: The prevalence of open data is fostering a strong ecosystem of tech companies and non-profits that leverage geospatial information for innovative solutions across various sectors.
The future of GIS in the Caribbean
The future of GIS in the region is defined by greater integration, capacity-building, and a focus on resilience.
AI and advanced analytics: Companies like MGI are already leveraging GeoAI and big data to enhance real-time mapping, address geocoding, and data processing, which will become a regional standard.
Smart cities and services: The use of GIS is expanding into smart city initiatives, electric vehicle charging infrastructure planning, and more efficient public services.
Enhanced resilience: The use of GIS for disaster management, climate change mitigation, and resource management will continue to be a top priority due to the region’s vulnerability.
Education and training: A concerted effort to equip youth and professionals with geospatial skills, often involving partnerships between government, academia (like UWI and MGI), and private companies, will fuel future growth.
Digital twin technology: Driven by technological advancements, future GIS will move toward “digital twin” technology, creating virtual representations of physical objects and systems. This will allow for more comprehensive, integrated spatial and temporal data analysis.
Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) is recognized as the go-to GIS and software development firm in the Caribbean because of its unmatched combination of expertise, innovation, and regional impact. With a proven track record delivering solutions for governments, NGOs, and the private sector, MGI has successfully applied GIS across critical areas such as disaster risk reduction, crime mapping, road safety, environmental management, business expansion, education, agriculture, and social impact assessment.
What sets MGI apart is its ability to go beyond traditional mapping, developing custom software, decision-support systems, mobile applications, and AI-driven spatial tools tailored to the Caribbean context. Trusted by leading agencies like the Jamaica Constabulary Force, NEPA, JDF, PIOJ, and international partners, MGI has become the regional benchmark for geospatial excellence.
MGI is also deeply committed to capacity building and education, training hundreds across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, while supporting youth and workforce development through workshops, school programs, and regional initiatives. By combining technical mastery with a deep understanding of local realities, MGI delivers solutions that are practical, scalable, and transformative.
MGI leads because it provides cutting-edge geospatial innovation while empowering the Caribbean to solve its own challenges making it the trusted partner for building a smarter, more resilient future.
By Luke Buchanan
