The African Export-Import Bank has signed a hosting agreement with the Government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, reinforcing a growing push to formalise economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean through structured trade and investment platforms.
The agreement confirms that ACTIF2026 will take place from 29 to 31 July in Basseterre, positioning the twin island federation as a focal point for dialogue between policymakers, investors, and private sector leaders from across what is increasingly being framed as Global Africa. Convened by Afreximbank, the forum has steadily evolved into a central mechanism for mobilising capital, forging commercial partnerships, and advancing economic integration across the Atlantic.
Speaking on the development, George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, underscored the forum’s strategic intent. He noted that ACTIF2026 would bring together stakeholders to reassess shared development challenges and accelerate the implementation of programmes aimed at strengthening self determination and economic resilience across both regions.
For the host nation, the agreement carries both symbolic and practical weight. Prime Minister Terrance Drew described the forum as an opportunity to position St Kitts and Nevis not only as a destination but as a gateway for investment and enterprise within a wider Africa Caribbean economic corridor. His remarks reflect a broader ambition among Caribbean states to deepen engagement with African markets beyond cultural and historical ties.
ACTIF’s growing relevance is anchored in its track record. The 2025 edition recorded five deals valued at over 291 million United States dollars across three Caribbean countries, spanning trade finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development. These outcomes signal a shift from dialogue to execution, an evolution that has strengthened the forum’s credibility among investors and development finance institutions.
Afreximbank’s expanding footprint in the Caribbean further reinforces this trajectory. Since establishing its Barbados office, the bank has approved more than 700 million United States dollars in financing across the region, supporting projects ranging from climate adaptation in Saint Lucia to tourism and infrastructure development in Barbados and Grenada, alongside energy initiatives in Suriname.
ACTIF2026 is expected to build on this momentum, offering a platform for high level discussions on trade integration, investment pipelines, and cross border collaboration. As global economic uncertainty continues to reshape traditional trade patterns, the Africa Caribbean axis is increasingly emerging as a space of strategic opportunity, driven by shared interests in industrialisation, resilience, and long term growth.
