The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, ON, MP
Prime Minister of Jamaica
The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, has led Jamaica through one of the most consequential periods in its modern history; delivering stability, strengthening institutions, and positioning the country for accelerated, inclusive, and sustainable growth.
Prime Minister Holness made history in 2011, when, at age 39, he became the youngest person to be elected Prime Minister of Jamaica, and the first to have been born after Independence in 1962. Even earlier, at just 25 years old, he was elected Member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew, becoming the youngest MP in Jamaica’s history. He has since served over 29 years as an elected representative, holding senior roles across key portfolios including education, housing, and community development.
Since resuming office in 2016, Prime Minister Holness has presided over a transformation of Jamaica’s macroeconomic landscape. Under his leadership, Jamaica has achieved historically low unemployment, reduced public debt to its lowest levels in decades, and maintained strong international reserves, reinforcing fiscal credibility and investor confidence. These gains have been realized while maintaining discipline and without imposing new net taxes over a 10-year period, demonstrating a model of responsible, people-centered economic management.
His tenure has also marked a decisive turning point in national security. Jamaica has recorded a historic reduction in violent crime, with murders in 2025 being at the lowest level in over 30 years. This progress reflects a comprehensive approach to security reform, combining strategic investment, intelligence-led policing, and social intervention, anchored in a clear vision of peace as the foundation of prosperity.
Prime Minister Holness has also advanced a bold vision of Jamaica as a modern digital society. Under his leadership, the Government has laid the foundations of digital public infrastructure, including the establishment of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the rollout of a national digital identification system. These initiatives are transforming how citizens access services, strengthening trust in institutions, and enabling a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive state. His administration has also prioritized expanding connectivity, building digital resilience, and positioning Jamaica to compete in the global digital economy.
This progress has been achieved in the face of an unprecedented series of overlapping global and domestic shocks. From the COVID-19 pandemic to supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and rising energy costs, Jamaica has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Most recently, the country confronted Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful hurricanes in its history. In response, Prime Minister Holness has led a coordinated, whole-of-government recovery effort, restoring critical services at speed while mobilizing significant international support.
Prime Minister Holness is now guiding a historic national reconstruction and resilience programme that goes beyond rebuilding, to fundamentally reshape Jamaica’s infrastructure, economy, and spatial development. This thrust is anchored in the principles of resilience, sustainability, and inclusiveness, and is designed to place Jamaica on a trajectory toward faster economic growth and resilient, sustainable development.
A leader grounded in pragmatism and purpose, Prime Minister Holness is committed to building a Jamaica that is peaceful, productive, and prosperous, where growth is inclusive, institutions are strong, and every citizen has the opportunity to realize their full potential.