Mastercard Day Jamaica convened leaders to accelerate the next phase of digital payments across the Caribbean

As contactless payment adoption in Jamaica reaches 56%, leaders explored how innovation and expanded digital acceptance can help drive a more connected and inclusive economy

Mastercard brought leaders across the payments ecosystem, innovators, and industry experts for Mastercard Day Jamaica, a strategic forum focused on accelerating digital transformation and shaping the future of payments across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

Held under the theme of scaling innovation and strengthening the digital economy, the event explored how expanded payment acceptance, modernized commercial payment systems, and emerging technologies can unlock new growth opportunities for small and micro businesses and consumers across Jamaica.

“Mastercard Day Jamaica has become an important platform to align vision, innovation, and collaboration around the future of digital commerce across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” said Dalton Fowles, Country Manager for Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean at Mastercard. “This space reflects our commitment to continue building alongside our partners a more inclusive, secure, and future-ready payments ecosystem that can help drive the region’s next stage of growth.”

In Jamaica, contactless payment adoption has reached 56%, reflecting growing consumer demand for fast, seamless, and secure digital payment experiences. At the same time, significant opportunities remain to expand digital payment acceptance across small and micro businesses, tourism, and transit, helping more businesses participate fully in the digital economy, according to a study by Mastercard and Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI).

The event was attended by The Honourable Delano Seiverig, Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce who delivered special opening remarks.

Driving the future of commerce and payments

The agenda featured a series of thought-leadership sessions and discussions focused on some of the most pressing opportunities and trends shaping the region’s evolving payments ecosystem.

Conversations explored the role of digital acceptance as a key driver of growth and financial inclusion across Jamaica and the Caribbean, while also examining how innovation in commercial payments, procurement, and cross-border transactions is transforming the way businesses move money across sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

Discussions also addressed the future of online commerce, highlighting the rise of seamless, secure, and biometrics-driven payment experiences designed to reduce friction and strengthen trust. Speakers also examined how artificial intelligence and human-centered creativity are redefining brand engagement and consumer experiences. And lastly, a forward-looking session explored the emerging trends and signals expected to shape the future of payments through 2030 and beyond.

Advancing a more connected digital economy

Mastercard Day Jamaica underscored the company’s commitment to enabling inclusive, secure, and innovative digital payment ecosystems across the Caribbean. By bringing together financial institutions, technology leaders, fintechs, and merchants, the event accelerated collaboration and helped chart a path toward a more connected, cashless future.