BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) said on Wednesday it has formalized a new partnership with the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) to equip senior citizens with the skills needed to navigate the digital financial landscape confidently.
It said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed today, establishes a collaborative digital literacy empowerment program focused on training elderly persons to use BiMPay, Barbados’ national instant payment system, which will go live on June 12, as well as other essential digital tools.
The initiative is designed to empower senior citizens to conduct everyday financial transactions using BiMPay, provide hands-on training with digital devices, including tablets, reduce the digital divide between older and younger populations, and promote greater financial inclusion among elderly Barbadians.
It also strengthens collaboration between the Bank and BARP in support of national digital transformation efforts while building awareness and adoption of BiMPay.
“Digital transformation must work for everyone. As we introduce systems like BiMPay, we must ensure that our seniors are not left behind, but are instead equipped with the knowledge and confidence to benefit fully from these advancements,” said Central Bank Governor, Dr. Kevin Greenidge.
“This partnership with BARP allows us to take a practical, hands-on approach to bridging that gap and strengthening financial inclusion,” he added.
Under the agreement, the Central Bank will play a central role in program delivery. The CBB will sponsor and provide tablets to facilitate hands-on learning, design and deliver a comprehensive BiMPay training module tailored specifically for elderly participants, and deploy qualified technical staff and BiMPay specialists to conduct training sessions.
Participants will also receive user-friendly training materials, guides, and reference documents to support continued learning.
It said during training sessions, the bank will provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to ensure participants build confidence through practice. In addition, the bank will collaborate with BARP to promote the program through targeted communications and social media outreach.
“By embracing digital literacy, seniors can build confidence, reduce social isolation, and continue to live active, informed, and connected lives in today’s digital world,” said BARP president Marilyn Rice-Bowen, who welcomed the initiative and its potential impact.
The CBB said that the program forms part of its broader efforts to ensure that the benefits of digital innovation are widely shared across society, particularly as Barbados prepares for the full rollout of BiMPay.
“By combining the Bank’s technical expertise with BARP’s strong community network, the initiative is expected to create meaningful opportunities for seniors to engage confidently with digital financial services and participate more fully in the evolving economy<” the CBB added.
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