ACTIF2025 Seals $300m Deals and Strengthens Africa–Caribbean Ties
The Fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) concluded on a high note with more than USD 300 million in trade and investment agreements signed, alongside a landmark communiqué signalling stronger Africa–Caribbean ties.
The two-day forum, jointly hosted by the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of Grenada, attracted over 2,100 delegates from 80 countries. Among them were 11 Heads of State and Government, senior policymakers, private sector leaders and development partners. Discussions centred on boosting trade, investment, mobility and cultural exchange between the two regions.
Eight major agreements were announced during the event, covering infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation and trade finance. These included a USD 100 million Receivables Discounting Facility with Bahamas Striping Group of Companies Ltd for road and infrastructure works, a USD 50 million Education Construction and Rehabilitation Climate-Linked Facility with the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and a USD 61.25 million Term Loan for the Homewood Suites by Hilton Barbados.
Other deals comprised a USD 40 million Receivables Facility for Cat Island Infrastructure Company Ltd in The Bahamas, a USD 40 million commercial port development agreement between Gemini Integrated Commodities Trading Company Ltd and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Grenada Development Bank to support SME growth and trade flows.
A strategic cooperation agreement with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union was also signed to advance digital transformation, while the Bank of The Bahamas Ltd was appointed as an Afreximbank Trade Finance Intermediary to strengthen cross-border transactions.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, urged both regions to institutionalise their collaboration and remove barriers to movement. “We have to be very deliberate about creating institutions that will, in fact, recreate the type of trade, investment, banking and financial relationships that we want to build for ourselves,” he said. “I see no valid reason for maintaining the visa systems.”
From a financial and institutional standpoint, Afreximbank Executive Vice President and incoming President, Dr George Elombi, stressed the importance of conviction and decisive action. “Finance is the lifeline of trade. Once we integrate the payment systems and get them to see the Caribbean as the unique opportunity it is, the rest will follow,” he stated.
The ACTIF2025 Communiqué welcomed the endorsement of the Global Africa Commission by Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and other OECS states, calling for its formal adoption at the AU–CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa this September. It outlined commitments to establishing a Free Trade Arrangement, eliminating visa restrictions, strengthening air and maritime links, and expanding cooperation in digital, sports and the creative economy.
Delegates described ACTIF2025 as a pivotal step towards building “resilient cross-regional value chains” and confirmed the continuation of the platform with ACTIF2026.
The forum also paid tribute to Afreximbank President, Professor Benedict Oramah, whose tenure ends this year. His leadership was honoured with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Camerhogne Park, featuring a flamboyant tree, native to Madagascar and widely found in both the Caribbean and Africa, symbolising vitality, peace and growth.
ACTIF2025 closed with renewed optimism that Africa–Caribbean cooperation will continue to deepen, underpinned by a shared vision for prosperity, integration and global influence.
