Twenty (20) Women-owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (WMSMEs) from seven (7) Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) have been awarded grants totaling an estimated USD420,000. The Bank’s SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub’s Grow and Go Grant Facility, is facilitating the funding that will help the entrepreneurs scale operations and access new markets. Beyond financial support, the Facility’s resources will also address operational and technical gaps in each business.

The SheTrades Hub, a collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) and CDB, is a transformative programme designed to accelerate the growth, export readiness, and global competitiveness of women-led businesses across the Caribbean. Following a highly competitive selection process that attracted 106 applications, the grant awardees distinguished themselves through their strong business viability, innovative approaches, and promising growth potential. 

 “In a fast-changing global trade environment, access to finance remains one of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs,” said Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector Division, CDB. “The SheTrades Caribbean Grow and Go awards are more than grants—they are keys, unlocking export opportunities and giving women-led businesses the tools, confidence, and platform to thrive on the world stage.” 

The grant recipients showcased the full breadth and vibrancy of Caribbean entrepreneurship, representing Barbados, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Their businesses span a diverse range of sectors, from agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing to health and wellness, creative industries, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and tourism, all contributing to regional innovation, resilience, and economic transformation. Using the ITC SME Diagnostic Assessment Methodology, each awardee will receive a tailored development plan to help scale operations, enter new markets, and boost visibility within regional and global value chains.      

“These grants are both a celebration of achievement and a strategic investment in the entrepreneurial capacity of Caribbean women,” said Kayanne Anderson, Regional Coordinator, SheTrades Caribbean. “The businesses selected reflect the creativity, resilience, and innovation that drive our region forward.” 

In the coming weeks, awardees will participate in a storytelling campaign and mentoring initiatives to inspire other women entrepreneurs. After this pilot phase, CDB will assess the programme’s impact to guide future initiatives aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of women-led businesses in the region.