Karl Samuda

Karl Samuda OJ CD MP
Minister of Education, Youth Skills and Information
In office 2019–2020
Prime Minister	Andrew Holness
Preceded by	Ruel Reid
Succeeded by	Fayval Williams
Minister of Labour and Social Security
In office 2020–2023
Preceded by	Mike Henry
Succeeded by	Pearnel Charles Jr.
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce
In office 2007–2011
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
In office 2016–2018
Member of Parliament for Saint Andrew North Central
In office 1980–2025
Preceded by	constituency established
Succeeded by	Delano Seiveright
Personal details
Born	(1942-02-08) February 8, 1942 Kingston, Colony of Jamaica
Party	Jamaica Labour Party
Spouse	Pauline Samuda
Children	3
Alma mater	Ardenne High School University of Ottawa

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.