The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reinforced its commitment to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through its first-ever roadshow in Kingston, signaling the growing importance of the region in the Bank’s strategy to strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.
Held on June 2 under the theme “Empowering Jamaica’s Growth: Catalysing Trade, Investment and Industrialisation through Tailored Afreximbank Solutions,” a press release shared that the event highlighted Jamaica’s expanding role in regional commerce and the Bank’s efforts to support economic development across Caribbean markets.
The roadshow follows several significant developments in the relationship between Jamaica and Afreximbank, including the country’s signing of a Partnership Agreement with the Bank in July 2025 and the subsequent approval of a US$5 billion financing facility for Caribbean countries, including Jamaica.
The event reportedly attracted representatives from government, the private sector, and financial institutions, providing an opportunity for Jamaican stakeholders to learn more about Afreximbank’s financing instruments, trade facilitation programmes and investment services. It also allowed the Bank to gain a deeper understanding of Jamaica’s economic priorities, investment opportunities and financing requirements.
Addressing participants, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, welcomed the strengthening relationship between Jamaica and the pan-African financial institution.
“We understand that, for more than three decades, Afreximbank has been delivering financing solutions that support trade and drive economic growth across Africa. Its reach now extends beyond the continent’s shores, with the Bank establishing a growing presence in the Caribbean. It is clear that the partnership between Afreximbank and Jamaica continues to strengthen. I therefore encourage all Jamaican institutions represented here today to deepen their engagement with Afreximbank so that, together, we can unlock greater opportunities for two-way trade and investment between Jamaica and Africa.”
Afreximbank says its officials emphasized that Jamaica is well-positioned to benefit from increased trade and investment flows between Africa and the Caribbean, particularly through initiatives that support industrial development and value-added production.
Speaking during the roadshow, Eric Monchu Intong, Afreximbank’s Group Managing Director for Client Relations and Regional Office Operations, highlighted the Bank’s experience financing industrial parks, special economic zones and manufacturing projects across Africa.
“At Afreximbank, we believe that industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable trade and economic transformation. To trade successfully with Global Africa, we must first produce. Through investments in industrial parks, special economic zones and local manufacturing, Jamaica has an opportunity to reduce import dependence, increase value-added exports, create jobs and strengthen its economic resilience. This approach has delivered results across 18 African countries, where Afreximbank has supported the development of industrial parks and special economic zones through initiatives such as its US$450 million global credit facility with ARISE IIP, alongside critical trade finance support to businesses across the continent. We believe these lessons and solutions can be adapted to support Jamaica’s industrial growth ambitions and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and economic development.”
According to the release, the Kingston engagement forms part of Afreximbank’s broader effort to advance the Global Africa agenda by building stronger commercial and financial connections between African and Caribbean economies.
The Bank has pledged continued support for expanding intra-Caribbean and Africa-Caribbean trade through increased access to financing, investment capital, and advisory services.
