Minister Urges Bahamians to Register for Online Access 

Nassau, Bahamas (10 May, 2021) — Today the Government of The Bahamas announced the launch of MyGateway.gov.bs, the country’s first centralised and interoperable platform for online government services. 

The launch is a major milestone of the $30million Government Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness project, part of a long-term digital transformation initiative to increase the global competitiveness of The Bahamas, provide more efficient and effective government services, and create a path of sustainable economic development for Bahamians. 

By registering on MyGateway.gov.bs, adult Bahamian citizens residing in The Bahamas can use a computer, mobile phone, or tablet to easily and conveniently request and pay for several services across multiple government agencies. In addition, government documents requested on MyGateway.gov.bs may also be collected from a centralized collection location – The Post Office in the Town Centre Mall. 

Modelled after the Estonian online government services platform, MyGateway.gov.bs allows many services to be requested from a single portal via an interoperability platform referred to as The Great Bahama Bank, which enables digital inter-agency connection and allows users to register, complete the verification process, and access all services online. 

According to Senator the Honourable Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance and in the Office of The Prime Minister, Grand Bahama, the use of an interoperability platform realizes the concept of ‘once only’ – a key principle in the Government’s digitization initiative. Specifically, if the Government has the required information, except in extraordinary circumstances that information will not be requested for a new online government service request. 

Since the launch of the Government’s pilot programme in February 2021, there have been in excess of 12,000 visitors to the website, and of that number, more than 5,100 Bahamians have registered to securely access and pay for online government services. To-date, the portal has facilitated more than 1,100 driver’s licence renewals, approximately 400 birth, death or marriage certificate requests, and just over 300 police character reference requests. 

In conjunction with the launch of MyGateway.gov.bs, nine new online services will be made available this week. It will be easier than ever before to access everyday government services such as replacing a damaged driver’s license, conducting deeds searches, renewing post office box rentals, applying for a housing service lot, or renewing a Notary Public license. 

“The launch of MyGateway.gov.bs demonstrates that we are focused on making government work for Bahamians by providing more efficient services and I urge each and every Bahamian to register on MyGateway.gov.bs,” said Minister Thompson. “Putting Government services online is only the beginning of our digital transformation journey to realize our vision of a Digital Bahamas – one in which our citizens can thrive and find opportunities in a growing, sustainable economy. We invite you to join us in realizing this vision.” 

For more information about available online government services visit MyGateway.gov.bs. 

Media Contact: 

dtumedia@bahamas.gov.bs