Karl Samuda

Karl George Samuda OJ (born 8 February 1942) is a Jamaican politician. He is also known as a businessman, farmer and technocrat.

Education He attended Ardenne High School and pursued tertiary education in Canada, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Ottawa. Steeped in the discipline of Business Administration, he returned to Jamaica and was employed to Alcan Jamaica Limited and Industrial Gases Limited before venturing into furniture manufacturing and later farming, vocations which still occupy his interest, if and when his ministerial duties and political activities allow.

Career A former General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, Karl Samuda was the Member of Parliament for Saint Andrew North Central from 1980 until 2025, and has the distinction of representing both major political parties in that constituency.

He was the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Works and Housing in Jamaica until his resignation in 2023. He was previously the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and served in that position between 2007 and 2011.

Karl Samuda also served on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, having previously served an eight-year stint as a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee.

He served as Minister of State in earlier administrations and was Minister of Industry, Commerce Agriculture & Fisheries as well as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), He also served as Minister of Education from 2019-2020.

Samuda stood down at the 2025 Jamaican general election and was succeeded by Delano Seiveright.

Personal life He is married and has three sons.