In a landmark move to strengthen cross-Atlantic economic collaboration, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has formalized a hosting agreement with the government of St Kitts and Nevis to hold the fifth iteration of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026) in mid-2026. The April 14 announcement cements both parties’ shared commitment to deepening long-standing partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean while unlocking new avenues for mutual trade growth and investment. Scheduled to run from July 29 to 31, 2026, the forum will convene at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre, the federation’s capital.
Dr. George Elombi, Afreximbank’s President and Board Chairman, emphasized that the 2026 forum will bring together stakeholders from across the Global African diaspora to address shared development hurdles and advance collective goals of economic self-determination and resilience. “At this fifth edition of ACTIF, we will once again reunite with our fellow Africans across the Atlantic to reflect on our shared development challenges and to recommit to the implementation of strategic programmes that will advance our collective aspiration for self-determination and self-reliance,” Elombi stated. “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.”
For St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M Drew, hosting the high-profile gathering represents more than an honor—it signals the island nation’s growing role as a strategic investment gateway connecting Africa and the Caribbean. “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 noted. He added that ACTIF2026 will act as a powerful catalyst for inclusive economic growth, generating tangible new opportunities for local workers and businesses across both regions that will deliver intergenerational benefits. “We look forward to welcoming delegates from global Africa to St Kitts and Nevis,” he said.
Attendees can expect a packed schedule of collaborative programming, including expert-led panel discussions on advancing regional trade integration, targeted workshops to explore underutilized investment opportunities, dedicated networking sessions to connect cross-sector stakeholders, and deep dives into new initiatives designed to strengthen long-term Africa-Caribbean economic cooperation. As a high-level convening space, ACTIF2026 will bring together heads of state, government representatives, private investors, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, local entrepreneurs, and diaspora stakeholders to map out inclusive growth strategies for Global Africa amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.
Organized by Afreximbank, ACTIF has grown into the leading global platform for mobilizing capital, forging transformative public-private partnerships, and accelerating economic integration between the African and Caribbean regions. The forum’s track record of delivering tangible impact is already clear: the 2025 iteration secured five landmark Caribbean trade and investment deals worth a combined $291.25 million across three nations, spanning sectors including trade and investment finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development.
Afreximbank’s expanding footprint in the Caribbean underscores its long-term commitment to regional development. Since opening its regional office in Barbados two years prior to the 2026 agreement, the institution has approved more than $700 million in critical financing across CARICOM member states. This funding has supported a wide range of high-priority projects, including climate adaptation infrastructure in Saint Lucia, sports and tourism development in Barbados, small and medium enterprise financing in the Bahamas, tourism expansion in Grenada, and energy development initiatives in Suriname, among others.