NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Prime Minister Philip Davis says his administration will direct government ministries and agencies to allocate dedicated budgets to support Bahamian creatives, as part of a broader push to strengthen the domestic creative economy and expand opportunities for local talent.
Speaking at the 242 Influencers and Creative Conference on Sunday, Davis said the government will take a more intentional approach to engaging creators, particularly in public communication and national campaigns.
“I will direct government agencies and ministers to identify Bahamian influencers and creators who can help carry public information and public education messages, and to allocate intentional budgets for that purpose,” Davis said. “When government wants to reach people, government should use Bahamian talent.”
The prime minister framed the move as part of a wider effort to build a stronger ecosystem for creatives at home, arguing that local support must come before greater participation in the global digital economy.
“Before we ask the global marketplace to monetize Bahamians, we have to do better at home,” he said. “Before we ask international brands to invest in Bahamian creators, local brands must lead as well.”
The policy direction comes as part of what Davis described as a broader shift toward a “gate-opening culture,” aimed at breaking long-standing barriers to access and opportunity across industries, including the creative sector.
“The Bahamas has lived too long with a gatekeeping culture,” he said. “Too many talented Bahamians were left waiting outside rooms they had already earned the right to enter. We have to break that culture.”
Davis said the government is prepared to “create the domestic environment and give you the tools you need to succeed,” highlighting initiatives such as the Upskill Bahamas programme, which has already enrolled more than 12,000 participants in free, government-funded training.
He argued that once given access and resources, Bahamians have consistently demonstrated their ability to build and innovate. “It tells me that once Bahamians get access to the tools, they move. They build. They imagine more for themselves.”
The conference itself, he said, is designed to connect Bahamian creators with global technology platforms and industry stakeholders, as the government seeks to expand access, relationships, and monetization pathways for local talent.
“We are reaching out to companies such as OpenAI, Meta, TikTok, X, and others because we are making the case that talent and capability exist right here in The Bahamas,” Davis said.
He added that the broader goal is to create an environment where Bahamian creators can generate sustainable income and scale their work, while contributing to a more diversified national economy.
“I want a country where creators can focus on creating, where brand relationships can grow, where platform eligibility gets serious attention, where best practice is shared, and where young Bahamians can build real income from their ideas,” Davis said.
