The fourth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) has officially and festively opened in St. George’s, Grenada. This international forum, an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), aims to promote trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Africa and the Caribbean region.
The theme of ACTIF 2025 is: “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.” This year, the forum has attracted over 1,800 registered participants from the African continent and the Caribbean, highlighting the growing importance of interregional cooperation, particularly during times of global economic instability.
According to data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), trade between Africa and the Caribbean could surpass a value of 2.1 billion US dollars within five years. However, this growth depends on strategic investments in sectors such as natural resources, manufacturing, electronics, food processing, and animal feed production.
Nonetheless, significant challenges remain. Both the ITC and Afreximbank point to high import tariffs—especially on value-added products—and a weak logistical infrastructure that hampers efficiency and the flow of goods. Despite strong historical and cultural ties, bilateral exports between the two regions have never exceeded six percent.
During the opening ceremony, led by Joseph Andall, Grenada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Export Development, several speakers advocated for the creation of a free trade zone between Africa and the Caribbean. They also emphasized the importance of direct air and sea links between the regions. “Europe should no longer be the intermediary in the connection between these two natural partners,” stated one of the speakers.
Afreximbank is currently developing a maritime and air bridge to improve physical connectivity. At the same time, the bank, in collaboration with the ITC, is exploring the potential for trade agreements, support for regional integration, and industrial specialization across both regions.
Previous editions of ACTIF were held in Barbados, Guyana, and The Bahamas. The statistics show an upward trend: according to ITC, CARICOM imports from Africa reached 294 million US dollars in 2023, while exports to Africa totaled 387 million.
The outlook is optimistic. Relations between the African continent and the Caribbean appear stronger than ever. There is a clear call for structural cooperation and mutual benefits on economic, logistical, and cultural fronts.
Suriname Herald will provide extensive coverage of the forum in Grenada over the coming days, an island also known as “The Spice of the Caribbean.”
