Kamina Johnson Smith is a distinguished Jamaican attorney-at-law and Senator, notable for being Jamaica’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Since 2016, she has concurrently held the roles of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate.
During her tenure, Johnson Smith has significantly expanded Jamaica’s diplomatic relations and introduced the Consular Manual to enhance services for Jamaican citizens abroad. She has overseen two biennial Diaspora Conferences, conducted Diaspora consultations globally, and introduced key policies such as the National Diaspora Policy.
Under her leadership, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council were established. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she chaired the National External Support Coordination Committee, ensuring effective oversight of international donations for Jamaica’s pandemic response.
In the realm of Foreign Trade, Johnson Smith has been instrumental in developing Jamaica’s National Foreign Trade Policy and Action Plan. She initiated the Economic Diplomacy Programme in collaboration with Jamaica’s Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (JAMPRO) and has actively engaged in reviewing Jamaica’s Foreign Trade Action Plan and revitalizing the Jamaica Trade Policy Advisory Group.
Internationally, Johnson Smith has held significant roles including Chairperson of the CARIFORUM group, where she initiated discussions with the UK on post-Brexit trade arrangements.
She served as President of the ACP Council of Ministers, leading negotiations for a post-Cotonou Agreement with the EU. She has represented Jamaica at G20 and G7 meetings, marking a historic milestone as the first Jamaican Foreign Minister to attend a G7 summit. Since 2019, she has served as Jamaica’s Coordinator within the WTO for the ACP group and is a member of the EU-LAC Foundation Women’s Network.
Before her ministerial appointment, Johnson Smith practiced law, establishing her own firm in 2014 after holding senior positions in corporate affairs and governance. She has served on various boards and committees, including the Corporate Governance Committee of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) and as a director of several organizations, including the Factories Corporation of Jamaica and the Early Childhood Commission.
Committed to public service and education reform, Johnson Smith has contributed to philanthropic initiatives through the LIME Foundation and served on advisory boards focused on education and governance.
Her academic achievements include a Master of Laws in Commercial Law from the London School of Economics, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, and a Bachelor of Arts in French and International Relations from the University of the West Indies, Mona.
She graduated Valedictorian from the Norman Manley Law School and completed professional certifications in Legal and Diplomatic French and Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
Born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Johnson Smith is married to Jason Smith and is the daughter of former diplomat Anthony Johnson. Her dedication to governance, education, youth, and gender issues continues to shape her impactful career in public service and international diplomacy.
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