BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – In a joint announcement that underscores prioritization of global public health safety, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have confirmed the postponement of the 2026 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2026), a decision driven by growing Ebola-related public health concerns across parts of Africa.
Originally slated to convene at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the fifth annual iteration of the forum was expected to draw hundreds of delegates, cross-border investors, and senior business leaders from African and Caribbean nations, all gathered to strengthen trade ties and unlock new investment opportunities between the two regions. The event plays a key role in connecting small and medium enterprises, connecting regional markets, and fostering long-term economic partnerships between African and Caribbean economies.
In a shared statement distributed to all registered delegates and participating stakeholders, the two organizing bodies confirmed that the forum will not proceed on its originally scheduled timeline. The joint announcement notes that the deferral came after careful review of the most recent guidance from regional, continental, and global public health agencies amid the rapidly evolving outbreak.
“This decision has been taken following the latest updates from regional, continental and international public health authorities regarding the evolving public health situation in some parts of Africa,” the statement read. “Out of caution, and with the health, safety and well-being of delegates, speakers, partners, sponsors and other participants in mind, Afreximbank and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis have agreed that the deferral of the Forum is the most responsible course of action at this time.”
The decision comes as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to escalate, with official data showing steady increases in both confirmed cases and fatalities. As of June 29, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that DRC health authorities have logged 1,333 confirmed Ebola cases and 399 associated deaths. That figure marks an increase of 26 new confirmed cases and 22 additional deaths compared to the prior reporting window. Currently, 609 confirmed patients are receiving treatment in isolation facilities, according to the ECDC.
To date, 189 patients infected with the Bundibugyo Ebola strain — the variant driving this outbreak — have recovered from the virus. Public health officials also note that 82.7 percent of all identified close contacts of infected patients are under active monitoring in the two most affected provinces: Ituri and North Kivu.
The vast majority of confirmed transmissions are concentrated in Ituri Province, where 1,214 cases and 335 deaths have been recorded across 23 of the province’s 36 health zones. North Kivu has recorded 116 confirmed cases and 63 deaths, while South Kivu has reported three cases including one fatality. Overall, 35 of the DRC’s 104 total health zones are currently impacted by the ongoing outbreak.
Despite the difficult decision to postpone, both Afreximbank and the St. Kitts and Nevis government extended their gratitude to all delegates, sponsors, partner organizations, and stakeholders who invested time and resources into preparing for the 2026 forum. “The decision to defer the Forum was not taken lightly, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement added. As of the July 2 announcement, no new date has been set for the rescheduled ACTIF 2026.