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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a hosting agreement with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026), signalling a deepening of economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
The forum is scheduled to take place from July 29 to 31, 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort Casino & Spa in Basseterre, and is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across both regions.
The signing underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Afri-Caribbean partnerships, enhancing trade relations, and advancing joint economic development initiatives.
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, said the forum will continue to build on a growing relationship between Africa and its diaspora in the Caribbean.
“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 to recommit to the implementation of strategic programmes that will advance our collective aspiration for self-determination and self-reliance,” Dr. Elombi stated.
He added that ACTIF2026 will focus on identifying priority projects and ensuring their effective execution as part of a broader pathway to shared economic growth.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew welcomed the agreement, describing it as a significant opportunity for the Federation.
“We are honoured to host the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum. This agreement signals our strong commitment to strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean,” Dr. Drew said.
He emphasised that St. Kitts and Nevis is positioning itself not only as a tourism destination, but also as a hub for investment and enterprise within the Global Africa framework.
“ACTIF2026 will serve as a catalyst for trade and investment, creating new opportunities for our people and businesses,” he added, noting that the forum is expected to generate long-term benefits for the country, the wider Caribbean, and the African continent.
The three-day event will feature panel discussions on regional trade, investment opportunities, and strategies to strengthen Africa–Caribbean cooperation. Participants will include government officials, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs, and members of the diaspora.
Convened by Afreximbank, ACTIF has become a leading platform for mobilising capital, forging partnerships, and accelerating economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean.
According to organisers, ACTIF2025 resulted in five Caribbean deals valued at US$291.25 million across three countries, covering areas such as trade and investment finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development.
Afreximbank has also expanded its footprint in the Caribbean, approving more than US$700 million in financing across the CARICOM region since opening its Barbados office two years ago. Projects supported include climate adaptation initiatives in Saint Lucia, tourism and sports infrastructure development in Barbados, SME financing in The Bahamas, tourism investments in Grenada, and oil and gas ventures in Suriname.
ACTIF2026 is expected to further solidify these partnerships while charting new pathways for economic collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.
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