Afreximbank: $300m trade, investment deals sealed at AfriCaribbean forum

The Fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) has concluded with over $300 million in trade and investment deals signed across sectors including infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation, and trade finance.

Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager, Vincent Musumba, said in a statement on Friday that eight agreements and memoranda were announced during the two-day event, co-hosted by Afreximbank and the Government of Grenada.

The forum attracted more than 2,100 delegates from 80 countries, including 11 Heads of State and Government, senior government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners.

In his closing address, Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, reaffirmed the Caribbean’s commitment to institutionalising ties with Africa.

He called for stronger trade and financial institutions, as well as unrestricted movement between the two regions.

“We are not here to prevent our people from moving.

“I see no valid reason for maintaining visa systems.

“Biometrics allows us to move past that,” Mitchell said.

Afreximbank’s Executive Vice-President and incoming President, Dr. George Elombi, urged stakeholders to act decisively in advancing the Africa-Caribbean partnership, stressing that finance is central to trade integration.

ACTIF2025 ended with a communiqué outlining commitments to deepen collaboration, including the creation of a Free Trade Arrangement, removal of visa restrictions, improved air and maritime links, and expanded cooperation in the digital, sports, and creative sectors.

The communiqué also welcomed Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and other Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ endorsement of the Global Africa Commission, which is expected to be formally adopted at the AU-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa this September.

The event celebrated Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah, whose tenure ends this year, honouring his role in strengthening Africa-Caribbean relations.

A symbolic tree-planting ceremony was held at Camerhogne Park in St. George ’s, Grenada, with a flamboyant tree—native to Madagascar and common across both regions—planted to symbolise vitality, peace, and growth.

ACTIF2026 was announced as the next edition of the forum, continuing efforts to build resilient cross-regional value chains.