Keypoints:
- St Kitts to host ACTIF2026 in July
- Afreximbank surpasses $700m Caribbean financing
- Forum targets new Africa-Caribbean trade deals
THE African Export-Import Bank has signed a host country agreement with the Government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026), as it expands more than $700m in Caribbean financing and deepens cross-Atlantic trade ties.
ACTIF2026 will take place from July 29 to 31, 2026, at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort in Basseterre, bringing together government officials, investors and business leaders from across ‘Global Africa’.
Why ACTIF2026 matters for global Africa
The ACTIF2026 Africa-Caribbean trade forum comes at a critical moment as both regions seek to diversify economic partnerships and unlock new capital flows. As previously reported, Africa–Caribbean capital flows are moving into execution, backed by a $5bn Afreximbank financing commitment that is reshaping expectations around cross-Atlantic investment cooperation.
Afreximbank targets deeper Africa-Caribbean trade ties
Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, said the forum would focus on translating shared ambitions into tangible economic outcomes.
‘At the fifth edition of ACTIF, we will once again reunite with our fellow Africans across the Atlantic to reflect on shared development challenges and recommit to strategic programmes that advance self-determination and self-reliance,’ he said.
He added that ACTIF2026 will prioritise project execution, with stakeholders expected to identify bankable opportunities and align on implementation strategies.
St Kitts positions itself as investment hub
Prime Minister Terrance Drew said hosting the ACTIF2026 Africa-Caribbean trade forum underscores the country’s ambition to serve as a gateway for international investment.
‘We are not just a beautiful destination; we are a gateway for investment, a hub for enterprise, and a proud partner in the renaissance of Africans,’ Drew said.
He added that the forum will create long-term economic pathways for citizens, businesses and regional partners, strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
ACTIF2026 to drive trade deals and partnerships
The ACTIF platform has emerged as a leading mechanism for mobilising capital and advancing Africa-Caribbean economic cooperation. Earlier forums have highlighted the strategic importance of structured partnerships, with ACTIF initiatives focused on long-term trade and investment collaboration between the two regions.
The 2026 edition will feature panel discussions, investment showcases and high-level networking sessions aimed at unlocking new trade opportunities.
Participants will include governments, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs and diaspora stakeholders, all working to define a shared growth strategy.
Africa-Caribbean trade momentum builds ahead of ACTIF2026
The upcoming forum builds on a broader wave of Africa-Caribbean engagement. Recent developments, including plans for a Ghana–Jamaica investment summit, highlight how countries are accelerating bilateral trade initiatives across the corridor.
ACTIF2025 itself recorded deals worth $291.25m across three Caribbean countries, covering trade finance, corporate funding and export development.
Afreximbank’s expanding footprint has been central to this momentum, with more than $700m approved across CARICOM economies spanning climate adaptation, tourism infrastructure, SME financing and energy development.
Outlook for ACTIF2026 and regional growth
With ACTIF2026 set to convene global stakeholders in St Kitts and Nevis, expectations are high that the forum will translate political momentum into concrete investments.
As Africa and the Caribbean push to strengthen economic resilience and build independent growth pathways, the ACTIF2026 Africa-Caribbean trade forum is expected to play a central role in shaping the next phase of Africa-Caribbean investment and trade cooperation.
