e-Pay Technology is Here

The Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy has officially unveiled its long-anticipated e-Pay System at the Turks and Caicos Islands Treasury, a digital platform that allows members of the public to pay government fees online without physically visiting the Treasury.

Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy Hon. E. Jay Saunders presents a member of the public with a small token, during the launch of the e-Pay System, Downtown Providenciales, on Friday, 13 February 2026.

The system, launched on Friday, 13 February 2026, at the Treasury in Providenciales, enables residents to settle receipts immediately through an electronic payment portal, cutting out the need to stand in line.

The nationwide rollout means that once a government receipt is issued, whether at the DMV or another department, payments can be made on the spot using the new digital platform. Residents will no longer need to leave one office to travel to the Treasury to complete transactions. The system forms part of the Government’s broader push to digitize services and modernize public access.

Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, described the launch as a transformative moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Speaking with journalists, a visibly pleased Saunders said the system would “make a big difference” by eliminating long Treasury lines. He noted that even contacts overseas had congratulated him after seeing news of the launch.

 “They said when it launched in their country, it was a huge game changer for them,” he explained. “I’m expecting it’s going to be the same thing in Turks and Caicos. It’s going to be a game changer for us,” he said, adding that people would quickly realize there is no longer any need to visit the Treasury unless collecting a cheque.

Saunders emphasized that beyond convenience, the initiative represents a significant step in the Government’s wider digital transformation agenda.

“We’re digitizing Government. We’re making Government more accessible to the people,” he said. “In 2026, the idea of spending half an hour in a Treasury line is outrageous, let alone half a day. There’s no need to be standing in line.”

The Minister stressed that the launch is nationwide and will particularly benefit residents in the Family Islands such as Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos and North Caicos, as well as Grand Turk. While Treasury services exist in some of those islands, residents often still encounter delays or limited hours.

“Now there’s no need to come to Providenciales to go to the Treasury,” Saunders explained. “If your driver’s licence renewal falls on a weekend or holiday, you don’t have to wait until the Treasury opens. You can pay right there.”

Addressing concerns about accessibility for senior citizens or persons less familiar with technology, Saunders said the traditional Treasury service will remain in place. Cashiers will still be available, and residents can seek assistance at their local District Commissioner’s Office. He also revealed that payment kiosks will soon be rolled out to provide additional support.

“You’d be surprised, many seniors are already using Facebook and WhatsApp,” he said. “But even for those who aren’t comfortable with technology yet, the Treasury isn’t going away. Over time, as more people become accustomed to using digital services from a young age, it will become second nature.”

During beta testing, the Treasury processed more than $300,000 through the platform. Saunders expects that figure to rise dramatically following the official launch.

“Over time, it’s going to be in the hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars,” he said. “As people start utilizing it, they’re going to run all their government services through it.”

Members of the public visiting the Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy’s launch of its e-Pay System Downtown Providenciales.

He revealed that the Ministry is already working with developers to integrate the payment system directly into government service applications. In the near future, residents renewing a driver’s licence or vehicle licence will be able to complete the entire process, including payment, within a single application, eliminating the need to generate and manually pay a separate receipt.

“When that happens, most of the Government’s revenue will start to come through the payment platform,” he said. “We’ll be generating millions and tens of millions of dollars.”

Reflecting on the significance of the launch, Saunders described the day as a milestone for his ministry.

“For me, it’s a tick in the box,” he said. “This is a big deal because people will feel the effect of it immediately. But there’s a lot of cool technology coming down the road.”

Among future initiatives, Saunders outlined plans for enhanced digital land and survey services, including up-to-date satellite imagery with 3D capabilities, allowing prospective property owners to view boundaries and visualize building designs. He also spoke of expanding access to police records at ports of entry and implementing a national ID system that will integrate with government services.

“This is the first step,” he said. “We’re not just going to play catch-up. We’re going to lead.”

Saunders added that before the end of the current government term, residents will see a wave of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence integration across public services.

“For the man on the street, the most important thing is that it will allow them to live their best lives,” he said.