In a landmark move designed to strengthen economic bonds across the Atlantic, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has formally signed a hosting agreement with the government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth iteration of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, slated to run July 29–31, 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre.
The signing ceremony marks a mutual commitment to deepening long-standing collaborative ties between African and Caribbean nations, with both parties framing the 2026 forum as a critical step toward advancing shared development goals. Dr George Elombi, Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, emphasized that the upcoming gathering will bring African and Caribbean stakeholders together to address common development hurdles and reaffirm dedication to strategic initiatives that drive collective self-determination and economic self-reliance. “Through ACTIF2026, we will identify priority projects and programmes and dedicate ourselves to effective execution. This will be the pathway to our shared economic development,” Elombi stated.
For St Kitts and Nevis, the opportunity to host the premier AfriCaribbean economic event represents more than a diplomatic win—it positions the small island nation as a strategic hub for cross-Atlantic investment. Prime Minister Dr Terrance M Drew shared that the government is deeply honored to welcome delegates from across global Africa, noting that the agreement underscores the country’s unwavering commitment to expanding Africa-Caribbean economic linkages. “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 ACTIF2026 will act as a powerful catalyst for new trade and investment flows, generating inclusive opportunities for local and regional businesses and communities, and building long-term collaborative pathways that will benefit current and future generations across both regions.
Attendees of the 2026 forum can expect a robust schedule of engagement, including targeted panel discussions on regional trade integration, dedicated sessions to explore underutilized investment opportunities, structured networking opportunities with public and private sector leaders, and deep dives into existing initiatives designed to boost cross-regional economic cooperation. As a convened platform by Afreximbank, ACTIF has established itself as the leading space for mobilizing capital, forging actionable public-private partnerships, and accelerating inclusive economic integration between the African continent and Caribbean nations. It will bring together heads of government, institutional investors, private sector CEOs, development finance leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and diaspora stakeholders to map out resilient growth strategies for Global Africa amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.
The 2026 forum builds on a track record of tangible, impactful outcomes from previous ACTIF events. In 2025, the forum secured five cross-Caribbean deals totaling $291.25 million across three nations, with investments spanning trade and investment finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development. Afreximbank’s growing footprint in the Caribbean also underscores the long-term momentum of its engagement: since opening its regional office in Barbados two years ago, the institution has approved more than $700 million in critical financing across the CARICOM region, supporting a diverse range of priority projects including climate adaptation infrastructure in Saint Lucia, sports and tourism development in Barbados, small and medium enterprise financing in the Bahamas, sustainable tourism projects in Grenada, and energy development initiatives in Suriname.