Jamaica wants its diaspora to ‘come home’

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently called for those in the diaspora to ‘come home.’ Nigel Gordon, CEO of Seroto Communications, a boutique public relations agency specialising in the Caribbean, Latin America, and emerging markets, noted that appeals to patriotism are all good, but concrete policies are needed, as well as stirring rhetoric. Here’s his response to Mr Holness.

It’s 2025, and the battle is on to attract ‘global talent’. With the rise of remote work post-COVID and the continuing dominance of tech, countries around the world are now in a race to attract high-earning professionals with crucial skills. These professionals bring with them their earning power and investable funds and can carry out their work just as easily from a comfortable workspace by the beach as they can in a congested and expensive major city (provided they have WIFI!).

Countries from Portugal to Thailand now offer highly attractive ‘Digital Nomad’ visas, and ‘Citizenship-by-Investment’ is already an option in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia. And Dubai now stands as a shining (if somewhat soulless) example of just what a country can do when it orientates itself to serving the world’s ‘laptop class’. Even Trump’s America has gotten in on the action, with the billionaire President launching a ‘US Gold Card’ offering citizenship to wealthy foreigners who invest at least US$5 million in the country.

Now it appears Jamaica wants in on the action. In a speech given at the ChristWay Baptist Church in Miramar, Florida, during a diaspora forum, Prime Minister Holness encouraged Jamaicans living abroad to invest directly in Jamaica’s development, moving beyond remittances and philanthropy. Holness emphasised the importance of purchasing property, bringing technological expertise, and establishing businesses in Jamaica to bolster the economy.

As reported in one newspaper, Holness said, “Yes, we want the remittances. Yes, we want the great philanthropy that you exercise for our country. But I want you to buy homes in Jamaica. I want you to come back with AI technology [sic]. I want you to come back with cybersecurity expertise and set up businesses. Yes, I want you to come back to Jamaica and invest in Jamaica and help us build that economy.”

I have to admit, as a British citizen of Jamaican origin, I’m energised and more than a little intrigued by Prime Minister Holness’s appeal. Although born and raised in the UK, my Jamaican origins mean a lot to me, and the chance to visit relatives and friends back in ‘the old country’ always leaves me with a great feeling of pride and satisfaction. Now, as the founder of a business serving clients in the Caribbean, I’m likely just the sort of person PM Holness has in mind, namely, a tech-aligned diasporan educated in the West and with a job that can be done anywhere with internet access.

So, will I be packing my bags and doing my bit for Jamaica? To be honest, I have my doubts.

To begin with, there was a surprising lack of detail in the PM’s speech. Mr. Holness wants us to invest, to bring our skills home, to contribute more than remittances, and I agree in principle. But where’s the actual policy? Where’s the offer? There’s been no talk of tax incentives for returnees, for example, no digital nomad-style visa to ease the transition, no targeted deregulation for industries that might actually attract tech workers and others. Last year, it was reported that the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) was considering a Digital Nomad visa, but nothing specifically for diasporans, and there haven’t been much by way of developments since then. From what I can tell, the Returning Residents programme remains unchanged: some duty-free concessions, and that’s about it.

Compare this with Portugal, the UAE, or nearby Barbados, all countries that have aggressively courted remote workers with clear, attractive policies. These places understand that there’s a global competition for talent, and they’re playing to win. Jamaica, it seems, is still appealing to sentiment.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as patriotism can be a powerful motivator. But let’s be honest: love of country will only get you so far when you’re weighing up a life-altering move. If Jamaica wants people like me to come back, it has to compete not just with the US or Canada, but with Lisbon and Dubai too, all places that are sunny and safe, with solid infrastructure, fast internet, and financial incentives to match.

That brings me to another uncomfortable point: crime. I hate to say it, but security is one of the most significant barriers. I have family in Jamaica, and many of us in the UK have heard the stories. Yes, London has its issues, but according to internationally recognised statistics, Jamaica’s crime index is significantly higher than the UK’s.

To be fair, Holness spoke about efforts to improve healthcare and infrastructure. He pointed to the SPARK and REACH road programmes and mentioned increased spending in hospitals. That’s encouraging. But if he’s serious about bringing people back, especially from professional sectors, the government needs to go much further.

We can learn from another country that has tried to woo some of its overseas cousins back to the old country, namely Ghana in West Africa. Its 2019 “Year of Return” campaign was a cultural and political masterstroke, drawing thousands from the diaspora and injecting millions into the economy. Crucially, the Ghanaian programme included a menu of significant financial and other incentives to lure back overseas Ghanaians, including streamlined visa processes, citizenship grants, and a special government-backed investment vehicle for Africans overseas to invest in the country. The Holness administration would do well to draw some lessons from their experience.

But Ghana’s Year of Return had a less positive side that those pushing such policies should be wary of. As a result of the influx of new money into the country, local prices in the major urban centres soared, causing significant resentment between long-established Ghanaians and returnees. Diasporans arriving with pounds and dollars can distort economies, and Jamaica has to be careful not to create a new class divide between newcomers and locals. If Holness were to introduce tax breaks for the diaspora, would that go down well in Trenchtown, Tivoli or Trelawny? Wouldn’t people rightly ask: why do they get special treatment?

Finally, I question whether one really needs to be in Jamaica to support Jamaica. Living abroad doesn’t mean abandoning the country. From my desk in London, I’ve helped elevate the voices of Jamaican entrepreneurs, and I’m very proud of this. Being in London is part of how I support Jamaica. Moving back might actually reduce my impact.

Still, I haven’t ruled it out completely. But if I’m going to pack up my life and move, here’s what I’d need to see first:

A proper digital nomad visa – clear, simple, and targeted at remote workers.
Income tax breaks for returnees in key sectors like tech, media, and education.
Real investment in infrastructure: broadband, transport, utilities.
A tangible plan for security and public safety, not just rhetoric.
A new business incubator or tech hub with support for diaspora-led start-ups.
Measures to ensure that the local population sees real, tangible benefits from the influx of new money, rather than just increased rents and prices at the supermarkets.