Wayne Lumbasi
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis officially formalized their partnership on April 14, 2026, by signing the Hosting Agreement for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026). This signing ceremony, held in Basseterre, confirms that the twin-island federation will host the high-profile gathering from July 29 to 31, 2026, at the St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort. Operating under the theme “Shared Roots. New Routes: Creating Pathways for Enterprise and Innovation,” the forum serves as a central pillar of the “Global Africa” strategy, which seeks to integrate the Caribbean diaspora into the African continent’s broader economic landscape.
Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, emphasized that the 2026 forum will move beyond mere dialogue to focus on the “effective execution” of priority projects. He noted that the event provides a vital opportunity for Africans across the Atlantic to reflect on shared development challenges and recommit to strategic programs that advance collective self-reliance.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew echoed these sentiments, hailing the agreement as a defining moment that positions St Kitts and Nevis as a gateway for investment and a hub for enterprise, rather than just a traditional tourism destination. He expressed confidence that the forum will create lasting economic pathways that benefit citizens across both regions for generations to come.
The decision to host the forum in St Kitts and Nevis follows a period of significant momentum for AfriCaribbean relations, with previous forums demonstrating a proven track record for facilitating multi-million-dollar deals. For instance, ACTIF2025 recorded five major Caribbean deals totaling $291.25 million across sectors such as trade finance and infrastructure. Since opening its regional office in Barbados in 2024, Afreximbank has already approved over $700 million in financing for various CARICOM projects.
For African and Caribbean governments, the importance of ACTIF2026 lies in its role as a strategic engine for South-South cooperation, offering a concrete alternative to traditional North-South economic dependencies. By formalizing this “transatlantic economic corridor,” governments are working to reduce their reliance on hard currencies through the development of regional clearing systems, such as the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS), which is modeled after the successful African equivalent.
This financial sovereignty is paired with an ambitious goal to increase interregional trade from approximately $729 million to over $2.1 billion by 2029. Beyond trade, the forum provides a unified political platform where leaders can pool their collective bargaining power on the global stage, particularly concerning climate finance and the reform of global financial governance.
By aligning the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with Caribbean development strategies, these nations are not just sharing resources, but are actively co-creating value-added industries in sectors like agribusiness and renewable energy to ensure that more of the wealth generated from their natural resources remains within their own domestic economies.
ACTIF2026 is expected to draw over 1,000 delegates, including Heads of State, global business leaders, and major institutional investors. The three-day agenda will prioritize high-level B2B networking sessions designed to match African capital with viable Caribbean projects. There will also be a heavy focus on sector-specific deep dives into renewable energy, digital transformation, and resilient tourism areas where both regions share common vulnerabilities and growth potential.
As registration is set to open later this year, the federation is preparing to welcome the “Global African family” to its shores to further explore how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can serve as a blueprint for cross-regional trade logistics.
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