19 April 2025
By Caribbean World Magazine, Across the Caribbean, a quiet revolution is taking place—led by bold, visionary women who are transforming business landscapes, challenging gender norms, and shaping the region’s economic future. These women, from Trinidad to Barbados, Jamaica to the Bahamas, are not just starting businesses; they’re igniting change.
A Rising Wave of Innovation and Impact
Women entrepreneurs in the Caribbean are blazing trails in diverse sectors—from agritech and renewable energy to hospitality, fashion, fintech, and wellness. These ventures aren’t just about profits; they often center around community empowerment, sustainability, and legacy-building. Despite often facing systemic barriers, Caribbean women are proving to be among the most resilient and innovative in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
One shining example is Lisa James, a hospitality entrepreneur who has overcome countless hurdles to create a thriving business that not only caters to tourists but also invests in local talent and environmental stewardship. Her story is echoed across the islands by countless women balancing cultural heritage with modern entrepreneurship.
Programs Powering Progress
Several targeted programs and partnerships are empowering this new generation of businesswomen:
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GRIT (Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade): A regional initiative designed to boost women-led businesses in Belize, Dominica, and Jamaica by offering training, export guidance, and access to green technology. It aims to build resilience by helping women scale their ventures in environmentally conscious ways.
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SheTrades Caribbean Hub (Barbados): This new hub connects female entrepreneurs to global markets, providing critical support in finance, networking, and digital capacity-building. Backed by the International Trade Centre and Caribbean Export Development Agency, it’s a game-changer for market access.
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The Women Empowered Through Export (WE-Xport) Program: Spearheaded by Caribbean Export, this initiative supports women to overcome export-related challenges through mentorship, technical assistance, and funding access.
Shaping the Startup Scene
Events like Beyond the Beach Summit, held in Kingston, Jamaica, bring together investors and entrepreneurs from across the region and diaspora to spotlight innovation in the Caribbean. These gatherings highlight the power of community and visibility, helping women entrepreneurs build networks that transcend borders.
Caribbean women are also embracing digital entrepreneurship, with many launching successful e-commerce brands, online consultancies, and digital wellness platforms. This shift to digital has allowed for greater global reach—especially vital during the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Tackling the Challenges Head-On
Still, challenges remain. Many women face limited access to capital, business mentorship, and decision-making networks. Cultural expectations and gender biases can further hinder progress. However, regional institutions and NGOs are working to close these gaps by advocating for policy reform, equitable funding structures, and inclusive leadership development.
A recent Caribbean Development Bank report emphasized the importance of improving financial literacy and strengthening access to credit for women—a key hurdle for scaling up businesses.
Vision for the Future
Caribbean women entrepreneurs are not just economic contributors—they’re cultural ambassadors, innovators, and changemakers. Their businesses often fuse creativity with purpose, community engagement with economic impact. From sustainable farming cooperatives to tech accelerators, their collective impact is driving inclusive growth across the Caribbean.
As the region embraces a digital, green, and inclusive future, these women are at the heart of it all—breaking barriers, raising standards, and rewriting the story of Caribbean business.
