Certified financial coach Luana Laurent emphasized the profound impact of social networks on personal financial success during a recent appearance on the Q95 radio program ‘Root Connections on Q’. 

Reflecting on the common adage that a person's network determines their net worth, Laurent argued that wealth should be viewed holistically, encompassing both financial and physical well-being. She explained that surrounding oneself with individuals who possess a positive mindset and energy is crucial, as the people in one's inner circle often influence their future trajectory. 

Laurent advised listeners to intentionally choose associations with those who offer future benefits and to avoid following paths that lead toward poor financial habits. 

To illustrate her point, Laurent shared a personal story from a time before she achieved financial stability, when she was heavily burdened by debt. She recounted going out with friends while prioritizing the repayment of her student loans, often choosing the cheapest appetizers and drinking watered-down ginger wine all night to save money. 

Rather than being deterred, her friends observed her discipline and joined her in a shared commitment to their financial futures. To this day, the group remains accountability partners and recently held an annual vision board call to outline their collective goals & dreams for 2026.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that Dominica’s real GDP growth will average 3% during the 2026/2027 period, a trend bolstered by ongoing strategic investments in major national infrastructure. 

This projection follows a period of accelerated economic activity, with growth reaching 4.5% in 2025, up from 3.5% the previous year. The IMF attributed this positive momentum largely to a thriving tourism sector, which saw a 36% increase over pre-pandemic levels, alongside easing inflation and targeted development spending. 

However, experts anticipate that this growth will eventually settle at approximately 2% as current large-scale construction projects reach completion.Despite the growth, the IMF highlighted significant fiscal challenges, noting that the country’s current account deficit stood at 38% of GDP in 2025 due to heavy imports for construction. 

The rapid execution of projects such as geothermal transmission lines and resilient roads has also led to a widened primary deficit of 4.5% of GDP for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. While public debt has dropped from its post-pandemic high of 118%, it remains elevated at 103% of GDP, significantly exceeding the regional 60% benchmark. 

On a positive note, the financial system remains stable and liquid, with the credit union sector expanding to represent over half of all private sector credit.

The Loubiere Playing Field project is entering its final stages of the near completion of installation of high-intensity lighting. Parliamentary Representative Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite said that this significant upgrade is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the government, which aims to transform the local sporting landscape. 

She highlighted that the new infrastructure will allow for expanded use of the facility well into the evening. This investment reflects a commitment to enhancing community resources and providing modern amenities for local athletes.

Dr. Thompson Fontaine, leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), recently held a significant meeting with the Kalinago Council to discuss the ongoing environmental crisis at Deux Branches. 

He emphasized the urgent need to show solidarity with the Kalinago people, as the alleged mining activities threaten the livelihoods of those who depend on the river. 

Dr. Fontaine expressed deep concern that one of Dominica’s top tourism sites for kayaking and tubing is being compromised by what he described as the government’s irresponsible approach to the issue. 

The impact of mining goes beyond tourism, directly affecting the basic needs of the local community. He argued that the current situation is a result of a lack of oversight and a failure to protect essential waterways that serve as a lifeline for the people.

Energy Minister Vince Henderson announced that 10 megawatts of geothermal power are scheduled for full transmission to the national grid by Monday. 

He said that this landmark achievement marks a critical step in the government's strategy to insulate the country from the unpredictable "vagaries" of international fuel prices, which have surged due to ongoing global conflicts. 

Mr. Henderson stated that the transition to local renewable energy is essential for long-term economic stability. He further stated that testing is currently nearing completion at both the Laudat plant and the Fond Cole substation to ensure a seamless integration of the new power supply.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, through its BioSPACE program, is set to officially donate ice coolers to fishing groups in Dominica on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. 

This initiative, funded by the European Union and organized in partnership with the Dominican government, focuses on strengthening sustainable fisheries and improving the livelihoods of coastal residents. 

High-ranking officials, including Chief Fisheries Officer Wynnona Joseph, will join members of the Mahaut and Layou fishing communities for the handover ceremony, which marks a practical step in modernizing the island's blue economy. 

The provision of these coolers is designed to transform post-harvest handling by ensuring better preservation of the catch, which in turn reduces spoilage and increases the market value of the fish. 

According to project representatives, this intervention is part of a broader commitment to building the capacity of local fishers and promoting the efficient use of marine resources. 

This support follows previous BioSPACE successes in Dominica, such as the 2024 donation of a fiberglass boat to sea moss farmers in Woodford Hill, further highlighting the program's dedication to supporting rural and women-led enterprises while balancing environmental conservation with economic growth.

Country Manager for the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Dominica office, Sherma John, revealed poignant childhood memories regarding her early exposure to the concepts of credit and poverty. Speaking on the radio program Root Connections, Ms. John recalled her experiences growing up with her great-grandmother, who lived to be 102 years old. 

She explained that a significant part of her youth involved visiting local shops to request items on credit—locally referred to as "quedi"—on her great-grandmother's behalf. Ms. John noted that her great-grandmother managed these expenses using a traditional credit book, where shopkeepers would record purchases to be settled at the end of the month when family members sent money. 

The ECCB official described the logistical challenges of this system, noting that when a credit limit was reached at one shop, they would simply move to another to open a second credit book. As she grew older, Ms. John admitted that the process increasingly became a source of embarrassment for her, leading her to wait until other customers had finished their purchases before approaching the shopkeeper. 

She reflected that these formative experiences served as a powerful "enlightenment" regarding the cycle of debt and financial struggle. Ultimately, she emphasized that this period of her life instilled a deep determination to never repeat those patterns or expose her own children to similar circumstances.

 ​Country Manager for the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Dominica Office, Sherma John.

Superintendent of Prisons, Mr Jeffrey Edmund, has revealed that just under half of the remand population at the Dominica State Prison is for the serious matters of murder and sexual offenses. 

Mr Edmund, who has the Jail Delivery Report at the conclusion of the 2026 Criminal Assizes at the High Court, today, March 30, 2026, said 29 individuals are on remand for murder while 11 are on remand for sexual offenses. 

He said however, the prison population continues to decrease from the previous report with a decrease of 19 inmates, 16 males and 3 females. The current prison population, at the time of his report, is 195, including 194 males and 1 female. This number also includes 14 foreign nationals, 11 on remand and 3 who have been convicted and are serving their sentences. 

The foreign national population of the State Prison includes 8 from Saint Lucia, 2 from the United States of America, 2 from St. Martin, 1 from Columbia and 1 from the Dominican Republic. There are currently no juveniles at the State Prison. 

Inmates, who are serving their sentences, are also engaged in recreational activities such as farming. 14 inmates are enrolled in CSEC Social Studies and 14 are also enrolled in the prison’s Literacy Program. 

Mr Edmund said the procurement of the services of a chef for the prison, through the Ministry of National Security, a service which was lacking for the 
past 15 to 20 years, has increased not only the presentation but quality of the food provided to the inmates. 

The Superintendent of Prisons, who informed that he will leave the prison after 43 years of service on April 28, 2026, said security at the prison will also see an upgrade with the commissioning of baggage and walkthrough scanners. The CCTV is also nearing completion.

Dominica’s Senior Men’s National Football Team lost their first match in the Concacaf Series, going down 2-nil to Guyana despite putting up a solid fight, in the Dominican Republic last Friday.Starting off brightly in the first half, the Dominicans looked competitive against Guyana who entered the game sitting over 30 ranking positions on the FIFA rankings. 

However, the good start was undone in the 27th minute when Guyana took the lead, and the Guyanese doubled their advantage 3 minutes later to take a 2-nil lead into the half time break. 

Dominica came out fighting in the second half, and looked the better team, creating a number of opportunities; however, the team could not convert. The defensive back line also kept a good shape in the 2nd half, and Dominica didn’t concede more goals. 

Guyana won in the end 2-nil, to hand Dominica their 3rd straight defeat in the Concacaf Series.In a post-match interview, Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team, Kurt Herd, said despite the loss, the team’s second half performance was strong.

Head Coach of Dominica’s Senior Men’s National Football Team, Kurt Herd 

Dominica’s next game will be against Sint Maarten today at 6:00 PM. Coach Herd said that he hopes the team will give that game their best. 

Vehicles owners and drivers in Dominica are seeing an increase at the pumps today, March 30, 2026, as new petroleum prices take effect. 


The new prices- calculated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, and approved by the Cabinet- have been fixed as $15.67 per gallon retail and $14.67 per gallon wholesale for gasoline, while diesel is now $16.04 per gallon retail and $15.04 per gallon wholesale. 

Other petroleum products, such as kerosene, have been fixed at $13.92 per gallon retail and $13.44 per gallon, wholesale. 

During a press conference on March 25, 2026, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said petroleum prices in Dominica did not automatically increase immediately following the start of the US-Israel war against Iran because every three weeks, the prices of petroleum products are reviewed. 

However, Mr Skerrit said the increase was inevitable, adding that there will also be an increase in LPG prices.