The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the Government of Grenada, has announced that the fourth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) will take place in St. George’s, Grenada, from 28 to 29 July 2025. The event will be held under the theme: “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”
ACTIF2025 is Afreximbank’s flagship platform for fostering deeper commercial, economic, and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Building on the momentum of the three previous forums, this edition will further unlock the trade and investment potential between the two regions.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), AfriCaribbean trade could reach $1.8 billion by 2028. This projection highlights the growing importance of strategic public-private partnerships and targeted investments across key sectors such as minerals, processed foods, transportation, and infrastructure. Strengthening access to capital and market data is expected to significantly boost economic development in both Africa and the Caribbean.
Prime Minister of Grenada, H.E. Dickon Mitchell, underscored the importance of the Forum:
“ACTIF is a clarion call for unity, enterprise and a reimagined global role for our people.
United in spirit in the pursuit of economic prosperity and mutual respect, the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum brings our shared vision for African-Caribbean unity to life through economic transformation, trade expansion and investment cooperation.”
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, emphasised the urgent need for stronger economic collaboration: “In today’s turbulent global economic environment, it is more urgent than ever for Africa and the Caribbean to strengthen their economic ties. Despite deep historical and cultural bonds, our regions continue to trade less than 1% of their exports with each other — a stark reminder of untapped potential. ACTIF was established to change that.
Through strategic partnerships, enhanced logistics, and greater access to capital, we are laying the foundations for a resilient transatlantic economic corridor that can drive inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development on both sides. ACTIF2025 is not merely a forum for business — it is a platform for rewriting the future of Afri-Caribbean economic relations, grounded in solidarity, shared values, and a common vision of prosperity.”
Professor Oramah also highlighted a key milestone in the Bank’s regional engagement:
“The AATC will be a gateway for Africa-Caribbean trade and investment,” he said, referring to the groundbreaking of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 27 March. “Offering a home for African businesses in the Caribbean and opening doors for Caribbean entrepreneurs to Africa. I urge all ACTIF stakeholders to seize this moment to transform vision into action.”
ACTIF2025 is expected to convene around 1,000 delegates, including Heads of State, senior policymakers, private sector executives, development finance institutions, and Diaspora investors from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.
The Forum invites participation from across the public and private sectors, including SMEs, multilateral institutions, and entrepreneurs. Attendees will gain insights into doing business in the Caribbean and Africa, discover trade and investment opportunities, and contribute to building a resilient transatlantic economic corridor.
Key sectors to be spotlighted include agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, logistics, creative industries, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services. The agenda will promote regional value chains and stimulate bilateral trade and investment.
The previous edition of ACTIF, hosted in The Bahamas under the patronage of Prime Minister Philip Davis, yielded over 15 agreements and MOUs valued at more than US$4 billion. ACTIF2025 aims to expand on these successes, delivering actionable outcomes and deeper economic collaboration.
Participants can anticipate a dynamic programme featuring business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings, high-level policy dialogues, sector-specific panels, investment showcases, access to financing opportunities, exhibitions, and robust networking sessions.
No comments:
Post a Comment