CTO INFOSPHERE ISSUE 4

At the same time, as digital ecosystems expand, the importance of data sovereignty cannot be overlooked. Data is a critical national asset, and its governance must balance national interests with the need for secure and trusted cross-border flows. Through collaboration and shared frameworks, Commonwealth countries can work together to build trust, ensure resilience, and unlock the full value of the digital economy.

We also recognise that digital transformation is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Each member country must pursue a path aligned with its unique context and priorities. The CTO remains committed to supporting these journeys through targeted capacity building, research, and implementation support—delivering tangible, measurable impact for governments and citizens alike.

As we reflect on 125 years of connecting the Commonwealth, our focus is firmly on the future. By strengthening connectivity, deepening collaboration, and fostering meaningful partnerships, we can ensure that digital transformation delivers inclusive, sustainable growth for all.

CONNECTIVITY

BY LEONARD OBONYO & DINEIL IGNATIUS

Expanding Horizons: Satellite Technologies Driving Digital Transformation

Introduction

Opening Engagements

Pakistan Powers Into the 5G Era with Landmark Spectrum Auction

PAKISTAN

A historic day for Pakistan’s digital future as the country enters the 5G era

Connecting the Commonwealth

BY LEONARD OBONYO & DINEIL IGNATIUS

Collaboration – Learning and Innovating Together Digital transformation thrives on collaboration. The CTO facilitates in-country consultations, training programs, and public awareness activities to ensure that citizens and government officials understand the transformative potential of ICT. By conducting research, desk-based reviews, and planning for implementation, the CTO helps countries design solutions that are practical, effective, and tailored to local needs. Collaboration extends beyond policy into skills development and innovation, with programs like the Commonwealth Digital Roadshow providing technical workshops, peer learning opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives. By sharing knowledge and experiences, countries can address challenges more efficiently, ensuring that digital progress benefits all citizens.

Partnership – Amplifying Impact the CTO Way Partnerships are central to the CTO’s approach. By engaging trusted strategic partners, international organisations, academia, and the private sector, the CTO helps member states mobilise expertise, share resources, and co-develop sustainable digital solutions. These partnerships deliver measurable results, from expanding e-government services and digital literacy programs to supporting smart city projects and tech innovation hubs. Through collaboration and funding facilitation, the CTO ensures that digital transformation initiatives are scalable, resilient, and impactful.

Implementation and Impact Measurement The CTO supports countries through every stage of the digital journey:

Coordinating in-country implementation of digital plans

Equipping public servants with training for effective execution

Measuring and monitoring impact to ensure sustainable results

By harnessing the expertise of its network of professionals and encouraging collaboration among members, the CTO creates ecosystems that foster innovation, inclusivity, and long-term growth.

Looking Ahead – A Connected and Collaborative Commonwealth Digital transformation is more than technology; it is a shared journey guided by the CTO. Connectivity, collaboration, and partnership remain at the core of its strategy. As the CTO celebrates its 125th anniversary, it reaffirms its commitment to supporting member states in building connected, collaborative, and secure digital futures. By embracing shared goals, leveraging strategic partnerships, and prioritising inclusive, resilient networks, Commonwealth countries can unlock the full potential of the digital age, ensuring that no citizen is left behind and that the Commonwealth continues to lead in innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development.

COLLABORATION

Connecting Leaders in a Digital Age: CTO Hosts First Commonwealth Digital Diplomacy Forum

BY LINDA NEH

Discussions explored critical and emerging areas such as multilateral digital governance, artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, digital standards, and the role of digital public infrastructure in advancing national development and strengthening international cooperation. Participants exchanged perspectives on how governments and institutions can work more cohesively to address cross-border digital challenges, while unlocking new opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.

Hosted in collaboration with the Government of the United Kingdom at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Forum highlighted the value of partnership in advancing collective digital priorities. It also reinforced the CTO’s unique role as a convener—bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to foster dialogue, share expertise, and build consensus on key digital issues.

As the Commonwealth’s longest-standing technology organisation, the CTO continues to serve as a vital bridge between policy, innovation, and diplomacy. Through platforms such as the Digital Diplomacy Forum, the Organisation is not only facilitating high-level engagement but also strengthening the networks and relationships that underpin effective international cooperation in the digital age.

The CTO extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers, partners, and participants whose insights and active engagement made the Forum a resounding success. Their contributions reflect a shared commitment to building secure, inclusive, and resilient digital futures for all Commonwealth citizens.

As the CTO@125 year unfolds, this Forum sets the tone for deeper collaboration and sustained dialogue, ensuring that the momentum generated in London continues to inspire action, partnership, and progress across the Commonwealth.

Opening the programme, Secretary General Bernadette Lewis underscored the pivotal role Liaison Officers play as the bridge between Member States and the Secretariat. She emphasised that professionalism, neutrality, and discipline are not merely procedural expectations but essential pillars that sustain trust, credibility, and cooperation across the Commonwealth network. In an increasingly interconnected digital landscape, these attributes are critical to enabling seamless communication and coordinated action among diverse national stakeholders.

A key dimension of the programme was its focus on cybersecurity resilience, an area where collaboration is not optional but essential. Fredie Woolland, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Security Resilience Group, delivered a session on strengthening both national and cross-border cyber preparedness. His insights reinforced the importance of collective defence strategies, information-sharing, and coordinated policy approaches in safeguarding digital ecosystems across the Commonwealth. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and borderless, the CTO continues to position itself as a platform for cooperative resilience and shared learning.

The induction also marked the launch of the CTO Member Recognition Programme by Irene Nakaggwa, an initiative designed to celebrate excellence, innovation, and commitment among Member States. The programme serves as both a recognition mechanism and a motivational tool, fostering a culture of collaboration by highlighting best practices and encouraging peer-to-peer learning. It will culminate in formal awards at the CTO’s 125th Anniversary Gala in London in September 2026, further strengthening a sense of shared identity and achievement across the organisation.

Beyond capacity-building, the London induction signals a deliberate effort by the CTO to enhance its governance architecture while deepening collaborative ties among its members. By equipping Liaison Officers with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to operate effectively, the CTO is investing in a more cohesive and responsive institutional framework—one that can better support Member States in navigating the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.

As the CTO advances toward its 125th anniversary, initiatives such as this induction programme demonstrate how strong governance and meaningful collaboration go hand in hand. By reinforcing the human connections that underpin digital progress, the Organisation is not only strengthening its internal systems but also positioning itself to deliver measurable, Commonwealth-wide impact in an increasingly connected world.

The journey continues, Part Two will be featured in the next issue of CTO InfoSphere.

Strengthening Digital Partnerships for the Commonwealth at Mobile World Congress 2026

BY LINDA NEH

SG MEETING WITH DELEGATIONS AT MWC

Part 2: Keron Rose: A Digital Nomad Bridging the Caribbean and the World

BY DINEIL IGNATIUS

Seeing Technology in Action: Lessons from Asia

His perspective highlights a broader challenge for the Caribbean. “It’s not just about technology it’s about mindset. You can throw money at tech and hope it works, but if the population hasn’t been sensitised to it, it fails. People here in Trinidad still avoid self-checkout lines, and we’re talking about drone taxis and AI. We can’t leapfrog the learning process that comes with each stage of technology.” Through his media work, lectures, and content creation, Keron aims to expose the Caribbean to these innovations and provoke thought, even if it means being “the bad guy” at times. “Until we realize how far behind, we are, we can’t move forward. We need to stop celebrating the bare minimum and start pushing the envelope,” he says.

A Flexible Base: Digital Freedom Across Borders When asked whether Thailand will be his permanent base, Keron’s answer reflects the mindset of a true digital nomad. “Life has never been more unpredictable,” he says. “I look at everything in five-year blocks. My visa in Thailand is for five years. If Thailand still makes sense at the end of that period, I’ll stay. If Vietnam or somewhere else makes sense, then I’ll move.” Keron’s digital-first approach allows him this flexibility. “Back in 2020, I was running my tech business, Droid Island, dealing with physical products,” he explains. “When the pandemic hit, I realized I needed to go fully digital. Digital products and services allow me to work from anywhere, as long as I have a Wi-Fi connection. That pivot positioned my life perfectly for the future.”

The move to Thailand was straightforward thanks to this strategy. “Getting the digital nomad visa took just two weeks, and by the third week, I was set up and ready,” he says. For Keron, the plan is simple: every five years, reassess and adjust based on opportunities and life circumstances. “I’ll focus on keeping everything digital so I have the freedom and flexibility to adapt as life continues to change,” he says. This approach exemplifies the essence of digital nomadism blending work, lifestyle, and location flexibility while leveraging technology to maintain freedom and adaptability.

Digital Transformation Across Continents Keron Rose has experienced digital transformation firsthand across multiple cultures North America, the Caribbean, and now Asia. His observations reveal just how differently technology is adopted around the world. “In Canada, we’re always a step behind the US,” he explains. “Not everything happens for us, so we’re accustomed to being a bit restrictive. But moving to Trinidad was a whole different experience nothing works the way you expect, and access to information is extremely limited. You can’t just Google anything because people believe in gatekeeping information. That’s why I produce so much content: when I started, there was nothing online about e-commerce or digital marketing in Trinidad and the Caribbean. I had to network behind the scenes and figure everything out for myself.”

This self-taught expertise eventually became the foundation for teaching others. “People started reaching out, asking how I built websites, how I showed up on Google, and how I sold online. That’s when I began teaching these skills to others,” he says.

The contrast with Asia is striking. “Here, even people in their eighties are using their phones for everything. They rarely use bank cards they scan to pay, and even ATM withdrawals are done via app. It reminds me of my time at Apple, where we taught classes on app development and mobile banking. The difference is that in Asia, there’s a culture of teaching and sensitising the public to technology, across all age groups. In the Caribbean, that simply doesn’t exist.”

For Keron, the lesson is clear: technology alone isn’t enough. “Digital transformation isn’t just about new tools it’s about educating people and sensitising them to change. That’s why I focus on sharing what I see abroad, so people back home can understand the possibilities and begin to shift their mindset.”

Digital Transformation and Brain Circulation in the Commonwealth For Keron Rose, the rise of digital nomadism isn’t just a personal choice it represents a shift in how talent can contribute to the Commonwealth. “Digital nomads are now the most sought-after group because of how digital nomad visas are structured. We can live anywhere, but we bring our income and expertise with us,” he explains.

Keron draws a distinction between the traditional migration of Caribbean professionals and today’s digital nomads. “When our parents migrated, it was considered brain drain. You left, got educated, and rarely returned. The Caribbean lost talent. Today, as digital nomads, we migrate physically but stay connected digitally. Trinidad hasn’t lost me. The Caribbean hasn’t lost me. And now I’m an even better version of myself exposed to the latest innovations, working from the future, and bringing that knowledge back home.”

This is the concept of brain circulation a shift from losing talent to leveraging global experience for regional growth. “Technology allows us to pour expertise back into the region without physically being there. It’s a game-changer for the Caribbean and the Commonwealth at large. If we don’t embrace it, we risk losing people for nothing,” he warns. For Keron, the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t just about freedom or adventure it’s about shaping the future of work, education, and innovation across borders.

Recognised for Bridging Technology Across Continents Keron Rose recently received international recognition in China for his work documenting the impact of technology. “China is strengthening ties with the Caribbean and Latin America through programs that encourage creators to produce content on specific topics. I submitted a video on how China has changed my perspective on technology,” he explains.

Out of 50 creators, Keron earned a silver ranking, with only a few achieving gold. The program took him on a 16-day journey across multiple Chinese cities, experiencing firsthand the innovations transforming industries and daily life. “The goal was to learn about China and see what it’s doing, then share those insights with the Caribbean so people can see what’s happening inside China,” he says.

Keron notes that China’s initiative wasn’t just a competition it was about authentic storytelling. “Western media won’t always showcase China in its true light. This program allowed creators like me to capture a different perspective and bring it back to our regions.” Through this recognition, Keron continues his mission of connecting the Caribbean with global technological advancements, not only through written content but also via video, digital platforms, and media engagements.

Conclusion: Living the Future Today Keron Rose embodies the essence of the modern digital nomad: freedom, flexibility, and global perspective. From leaving the 9-to-5, navigating family expectations, building a digital empire, experiencing cutting-edge tech in Asia, to bridging knowledge back to the Caribbean his journey highlights how technology can transform careers, cultures, and communities.

For Keron, this lifestyle isn’t just about adventure it’s about impact, education, and connecting worlds. As he says, “I’m physically abroad, but digitally and mentally, I’m still working for the Caribbean. That’s the future of work.”

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