The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis have signed a hosting agreement for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026).
The event will be held from 29–31 July 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre.
The agreement underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Afri-Caribbean partnerships and expanding trade and economic ties. Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Elombi, said the forum would bring Africans across the Atlantic together to reflect on common development challenges and recommit to implementing strategic programmes that advance self-determination and self-reliance. He explained that ACTIF2026 would focus on identifying priority projects and ensuring effective execution as a pathway to shared economic growth.
Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance M Drew, described hosting the forum as a strong signal of his country’s commitment to deepening economic relations between Africa and the Caribbean. He noted that St Kitts and Nevis was not only a beautiful destination but also a gateway for investment and enterprise. He added that ACTIF2026 would act as a catalyst for trade and investment, creating opportunities for citizens, businesses, and future generations.
Delegates attending ACTIF2026 will engage in panel discussions on regional trade, explore investment prospects, and network with key stakeholders. The forum is expected to provide a high-level platform for governments, investors, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs, and diaspora stakeholders to deliberate on the most suitable pathways for Global Africa to thrive amid global uncertainty.
ACTIF has already proven its impact. The 2025 edition recorded five Caribbean deals worth USD 291.25 million across three countries, covering trade and investment finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development. Since establishing its Barbados office two years ago, Afreximbank has approved over USD 700 million in financing across the CARICOM region, supporting projects in climate adaptation, tourism, SME financing, and energy.
ACTIF, initiated by Afreximbank, has become a premier platform for mobilising capital, forging partnerships, and accelerating economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean. It was catalysed by the first-ever Africa–Caribbean Heads of State and Government Summit in 2021 and continues to institutionalise engagement between both regions’ public and private sectors.
The upcoming ACTIF2026 is expected to build on this momentum, further solidifying Africa–Caribbean cooperation and opening new avenues for trade and investment.
The Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) is a premier platform that fosters trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Africa and the Caribbean. Held in collaboration with regional bodies such as the Caribbean Community, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area, ACTIF has facilitated dialogue, partnerships, and actionable frameworks that have bolstered commercial and investment ties between the two regions.
ACTIF, initiated and convened by Afreximbank, has rapidly evolved into a premier platform for policy dialogue, business networking, and deal-making, bringing together governments, private sector leaders, investors, and development partners from across Africa and the Caribbean.
Largely catalysed by the first-ever Heads of State and Government Summit of the Caribbean Community and Africa held on 7 September 2021, the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) is a key strategic initiative towards institutionalising the engagement between both regions’ private and public sectors to advance trade and investment relations.
The post St Kitts & Nevis to host AfriCaribbean Trade & Investment Forum 2026 appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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