Afreximbank Signs $300m Trade Deals at AfriCaribbean Forum
The Fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) concluded with over 300 million dollars in investment and trade deals signed.
A statement issued by Vincent Musumba, Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager, on Friday said eight deals and memoranda were announced, spanning infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation, and trade finance
Musumba said that the(ACTIF2025) was co-hosted by Afreximbank and the Government of Grenada.
Musumba said the two-day event brought together no fewer than 2,100 delegates from 80 countries, including 11 Heads of State and Government, representatives of governments, private sector leaders, and development partners.
He said Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Grenada’s Prime Minister, in his closing statement, reiterated the region’s resolve to institutionalise its collaboration with Africa:
“We have to be very deliberate about creating institutions that will, in fact, recreate the type of trade, investment, banking, and financial relationships that we want to build for ourselves.
“The reality is, what was created before was meant to entrap us.”
Mitchell also called for unrestricted people-to-people movement between the regions
“We are not here to prevent our people from moving. I see no valid reason for maintaining the visa systems. Biometrics allows us to move past that.”
Also, Dr George Elombi, Executive Vice-President, Afreximbank, and incoming President, was quoted as saying: “The next phase is not about justifying our vision, it should be about conviction.
“Believing further in who we are, where we want to be, and acting decisively.
“Finance is the lifeline of trade. Once we integrate the payment systems and get them to see the Caribbean as the unique opportunity it is, the rest will follow.”
Musumba said that ACTIF2025 ended with a robust communiqué affirming both regions’ commitment to deeper collaboration.
He said the official ACTIF2025 Communiqué welcomed the endorsement of the Global Africa Commission, by Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and other Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States(OECS).
Musumba said the OECS also called for the formal adoption of the Global Africa Commission at the upcoming AU-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa in September.
He said the commission was expected to accelerate trade, culture, and investment frameworks across the diaspora and continent.
Musumba said participants also committed to the establishment of a Free Trade Arrangement, elimination of visa restrictions, support for air and maritime links, and expansion of digital, sports, and creative economy partnerships.
He said the communiqué recognised ACTIF2025 as a pivotal moment in building “resilient cross-regional value chains” and affirmed the continuation of the ACTIF platform with the announcement of ACTIF2026.
Musumba said Afreximbank’s President Prof. Benedict Oramah, who is completing his term this year, was celebrated at the event for his vision and leadership.
He said the forum paid tribute to his contributions and reaffirmed his legacy as a foundational force in building Global Africa.
Musumba said a symbolic tree-planting ceremony was held at Camerhogne Park in St. George’s, Grenada in his honour for his visionary leadership and enduring contributions to Africa-Caribbean relations.
He said the Flamboyant tree, native to Madagascar and widely rooted across the Caribbean and Africa, was chosen for its vibrant red blooms and symbolic resonance of vitality, peace, and growth. #Afreximbank Signs $300m Trade Deals at AfriCaribbean Forum#
