In a compelling address at the African Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days, Daniel Best, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), emphasized the shared challenges and opportunities between Africa and the Caribbean. Speaking under the theme, “Bridging the Gap: Mobilising Private Capital to Unlock Africa’s Full Potential,” Best highlighted the critical need for partnership, discipline, and ambition to unlock large-scale capital and foster enduring development. Both regions face narrow fiscal space, climate vulnerability, and infrastructure gaps, which Best argued could be transformed into investable opportunities through innovative collaboration. He stressed that capital is a means to an end, with infrastructure only contributing to development when it enhances societal dynamism, inclusivity, and resilience. Best underscored the catalytic role of development finance institutions (DFIs) in shaping investment ecosystems, citing examples such as Dominica’s geothermal energy project and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). He advocated for blended finance and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as essential tools to attract private capital and accelerate sectors vital for long-term competitiveness. Best called for deeper Africa-Caribbean collaboration in project preparation, PPP structuring, and climate resilience investment, noting that platforms like the AIF provide unparalleled opportunities to align stakeholders and scale proven models. The forum, which brought together leading international voices, focused on accelerating investment in critical sectors such as energy, transport, and healthcare. Discussions highlighted the transformative role of DFIs in de-risking projects, structuring investment products, and building confidence for private investors, reaffirming that collaboration and disciplined design are key to bridging the financing gap and delivering sustainable growth for both regions.