The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has made a key strategic appointment to deepen cross-regional ties, announcing that Aisha Maina, current Chief Executive Officer of Pan-African advisory firm Aquarian Consult Limited, will take up the newly created role of Strategic Advisor for Africa-Caribbean Cooperation. Official OECS press materials confirm the appointment officially went into effect on July 1, 2026, and is designed to accelerate the bloc’s ongoing work to build stronger, mutually beneficial partnerships between Eastern Caribbean nations and African countries across trade, investment, and a range of shared priority sectors.
Maina brings a diverse and extensive professional background to the new position, with deep expertise spanning governance frameworks, international trade, energy development, agribusiness, the creative economy, and socially impactful investment, per OECS assessments. Over her tenure leading Aquarian Consult Limited, she has overseen the delivery of dozens of high-impact regional and international development initiatives, while building deep, collaborative relationships with public sector institutions and private sector leaders across every major region of Africa. These cross-sector connections and proven leadership track record position her uniquely to drive forward cooperation between the two regions, OECS officials note.
In welcoming Maina to the OECS team, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Aisha Maina to the OECS Commission,” Jules said. “Her proven track record of delivery, transformational leadership at Aquarian Consult, and expansive, forward-thinking vision for equitable South-South collaboration make her the ideal person to lead our strategic engagement with African nations. This appointment is a clear reflection of our unwavering commitment to building a more resilient, globally connected, and economically prosperous community for all OECS member states.”
In her new advisory capacity, Maina will report directly to the Office of the Director General, collaborating closely with OECS leadership to co-design policies and strategic frameworks that unlock new economic opportunities for businesses and communities on both sides of the Atlantic, while strengthening institutional collaboration between the two regions.
Reacting to her appointment, Maina highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and social ties that have long bound African and Caribbean peoples together, and expressed measured optimism about the untapped potential of the expanded partnership. “It is a deep privilege to serve the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in this capacity,” Maina said. “The historical, cultural, and economic synergy between Africa and the Caribbean represents an immense, largely untapped frontier of opportunity for shared growth. I look forward to working closely with Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and the entire OECS Commission team to translate our shared vision into transformative trade partnerships, inclusive sustainable growth, and lasting people-to-people connections for both our regions, strengthening what we see as a critical Transatlantic Bridge between the Global South.”
OECS leadership has framed the appointment as a deliberate, incremental step forward in the bloc’s broader commitment to advancing equitable South-South cooperation, and building deeper economic and cultural people-to-people ties between African nations and the 11 Eastern Caribbean member states that make up the OECS bloc.