11th Jamaica diaspora conference drives land, investment and school technology links

The eleventh staging of the Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference has brought together Jamaicans from across the globe to discuss investment, innovation and national development, with exhibitors and sponsors outlining how they are building links that extend well beyond the conference floor.

Land ownership remained a major draw for overseas nationals. Staff at the National Land Agency said their booth was among the busiest in 2026, handling clients referred by attorneys who wanted title updates, copies of documents and reassurance that valuation records were current. They also fielded questions from persons without titles who sought guidance on regularizing ownership. The agency noted that it holds online consultations and maintains digital channels for clients abroad.

Technology and education featured strongly in the marketplace. eLearning Jamaica said this year’s focus is on primary schools, with each set to receive laptops, a charging cart and an interactive panel so rural and urban institutions share the same equipment. The organisation is inviting diaspora partners to help expand connectivity, including satellite broadband already provided to more than 150 schools, with another 150 planned for this year.

Investment talk pointed to a shift beyond simply holding residential land. VM Group said more overseas Jamaicans are exploring generational wealth through rental income and mixed-use developments combining commercial and residential space. Digital access has also widened, including through the recently launched VM Diaspora Hub at myvmgroup.com. Legacy partners highlighted real-estate support through JM Properties Limited and mortgage options through JM Bank for members of the diaspora buying or investing in homes.

GraceKennedy showcased new products and beverages, with strong interest in sauces, coconut milk and Tropical Rhythms as overseas buyers seek wider access to Jamaican brands. The Jamaica Trade Board Limited promoted Export Jamaica and its Export Academy as tools to help entrepreneurs enter external markets, stressing that trade support and accurate information are available through its platforms.

The programme also recognised Jamaicans making impact abroad, including a UK-based advocate who received a King’s Bachelor knighthood for work defending Caribbean rights, notably through a campaign linked to National Windrush Day, and Honorary Consul Carl Michael Bryan in Virginia, who assists with passport, visa and immigration matters as an extension of the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Other segments highlighted long-running coconut research that began in the late 1950s to combat lethal yellowing, leading to resistant varieties and the Maypan hybrid released in 1974, and work by the National Education Trust to mobilise resources for schools through needs assessments, infrastructure projects and support aimed at 245 underperforming institutions nationwide.