Fifth edition of ACTIF targets new trade deals, investment flows, and stronger Africa–Caribbean economic integration

By Ifeoma Onyekachi

Efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean gained fresh momentum as the African Export-Import Bank formalised plans to host its flagship trade forum in the Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis.

The bank announced the signing of a hosting agreement with the government of the twin-island state for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026), scheduled to hold from July 29 to 31, 2026, at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort in Basseterre.

The agreement underscores growing efforts to deepen commercial and institutional ties between both regions, with the forum expected to bring together policymakers, investors, and business leaders to unlock new economic opportunities.

President and Chairman of Afreximbank, George Elombi, said the upcoming forum would focus on translating shared ambitions into concrete outcomes.

“At the fifth edition of ACTIF, we will once again reunite with our fellow Africans across the Atlantic to reflect on our shared development challenges and recommit to implementing strategic programmes that advance our collective aspiration for self-determination and self-reliance,” he said.

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, described the hosting rights as both an honour and a strategic opportunity to position the country as a gateway for investment and enterprise.

“We are not just a beautiful destination; we are a hub for business and a committed partner in strengthening Africa–Caribbean relations,” Drew said, adding that the forum would open new pathways for trade and investment across both regions.

Beyond high-level discussions, ACTIF2026 is expected to feature panel sessions on regional trade, deal-making opportunities, and networking engagements aimed at fostering partnerships between governments, private sector players, and diaspora stakeholders.

Convened annually by Afreximbank, the forum has evolved into a key platform for mobilising capital and accelerating economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean.

At the previous edition, ACTIF2025 secured five deals valued at $291.25 million across three Caribbean countries, spanning trade finance, project development, and export support.

Afreximbank’s growing footprint in the region has also seen it approve over $700 million in financing across CARICOM countries in the past two years. The funding has supported initiatives ranging from climate adaptation projects in Saint Lucia to tourism, infrastructure, and small business financing in Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, and Suriname.

With ACTIF2026, stakeholders are expected to build on these gains and chart a clearer pathway for sustained economic collaboration amid global uncertainties.