标签： Dominica

Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by exceeding its climate finance mobilization target. The Caribbean-based financial group has allocated approximately US$235.5 million toward climate-related initiatives, surpassing its original US$200 million goal set in 2021 by nearly 18%.

The climate financing strategy, designed to support the transition to low-carbon economies across RFHL’s operational territories, has seen renewable energy projects emerge as the primary beneficiary. Accounting for 46.46% of total allocations, renewable energy initiatives form the cornerstone of RFHL’s climate financing portfolio. Sustainable transportation follows closely, representing 40.28% of funded projects.

Geographically, Trinidad and Tobago leads in climate financing distribution with 42.17% of total funds, followed by Barbados at 25.36%. Guyana and Ghana account for 12.17% and 10.36% respectively, demonstrating RFHL’s expanding commitment to both Caribbean and African markets.

Group President and CEO Nigel Baptiste emphasized the achievement reflects growing regional demand for sustainable finance solutions. ‘This milestone underscores the critical role financial institutions can play in supporting the transition to more resilient, low-carbon economies,’ Baptiste stated, acknowledging the collaborative efforts across RFHL’s branches and subsidiaries.

The financed projects span multiple sectors including renewable energy production, eco-friendly transportation, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable agriculture. These initiatives aim to enhance climate resilience while promoting long-term environmental and economic stability.

Looking forward, RFHL has committed to expanding its sustainability initiatives with particular focus on supporting vulnerable and low-income communities through specialized financing programs and technical assistance for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The recent Progressism 2026 summit in Dominica has emerged as a transformative platform for strengthening ties between the Caribbean and African nations. This gathering of professionals and entrepreneurs emphasized that genuine progress stems from human connections and shared purpose rather than merely policy frameworks or market forces.

Keynote speaker Kareem Guiste drew from his extensive international experience to present a compelling case that relational capital often outweighs financial resources in achieving success. He challenged attendees to overcome fear of failure and embrace calculated risks in pursuing new opportunities.

Dr. Hilary Thomas Lake, an authority on Africa-Caribbean relations, addressed persistent misconceptions between the regions while highlighting concrete opportunities in trade, education, and cultural exchange. She emphasized that sustainable partnerships must be rooted in mutual respect and historical awareness.

Practical dimensions of economic cooperation took center stage during panel discussions featuring Alisha Ally, Dr. Clementine Afana, and Kenneth Oguzi. Experts explored mechanisms for leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Caribbean Community’s Single Market and Economy (CSME), while addressing persistent challenges including visa restrictions, transportation limitations, and underdeveloped financial infrastructure. Throughout these dialogues, participants consistently identified cultural understanding and people-to-people exchanges as foundational to lasting economic relationships.

The summit showcased innovative entrepreneurial models already bridging the regions. John Francois, CEO of Asili Coffee, presented Ghana-based initiatives promoting coffee production through outgrower programs and sustainable practices. From Dominica, Terry Henry Lovell of Be Natural inspired attendees with her journey from a single bee-based product to a multi-award-winning brand that has educated over 600 children through its Buzz Academy.

Beyond conference sessions, delegates experienced Dominica’s innovation firsthand with a visit to the Geothermal Power Plant, followed by networking opportunities during a sunset cruise along the island’s coastline.

Lizra Fabien, founder of The Progressive Mind and organizer of Progressism, reflected: “This summit was not just about conversations but about confidence restored, collaborations ignited, and dreams given permission to expand. Our mission is to create spaces where professionals recognize their collective power.”

The event’s success was supported by sponsors including The National Bank of Dominica Limited and Discover Dominica Authority. Organizers have already announced plans for the sixth edition in January 2027, committed to building “bridges without borders” and transforming connections into collective prosperity.

Amidst the vibrant celebrations of Caribbean Carnival season—a period characterized by rhythmic expression, cultural pride, and dazzling displays of individuality—a deeper narrative around body confidence and self-acceptance is emerging. While the festival encourages liberation and self-expression, it also amplifies unspoken pressures on women concerning body image, appearance comparisons, and societal expectations.

Michelle Baptiste, founder of Trinidad & Tobago-based Selecfit Shapewear, offers a transformative perspective on Carnival. To her, the event symbolizes not the pursuit of perfection, but the celebration of inner strength and personal authenticity. Her rapidly growing shapewear and wellness enterprise was born from a journey marked by profound adversity, resilience, and unwavering faith.

Baptiste’s entrepreneurial path has been anything but smooth. A single mother of three, she endured the tragic loss of both a brother and sister to cancer, faced a serious health scare leading to a hysterectomy in 2013, survived a minor heart attack at just 28, and experienced periods of homelessness. Juggling multiple management roles while attending night classes, she often made product deliveries on weekends with her children beside her. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she pursued a master’s degree while selling items from her car, dedicating nighttime hours to research and product development.

Today, Selecfit operates several retail outlets and offers an extensive range of premium shapewear, bras, and natural slimming solutions—many designed and formulated personally by Baptiste. Yet her mission extends beyond apparel: she aims to rebuild confidence from within, providing not just products but trust, care, and personalized guidance.

“Confidence is a woman’s most powerful accessory,” Baptiste asserts. She emphasizes that self-assurance is not vanity—it is a strategy for survival and a form of leadership.

As Carnival unfolds across the region, Baptiste encourages women to shift their focus from outward appearance to internal well-being. “Inner strength is essential before the costume,” she notes. “When confidence stems from self-love, the celebration becomes liberating rather than burdensome.”

Her practical advice for cultivating confidence includes prioritizing physical comfort, rejecting comparisons, nurturing a positive self-dialogue, honoring one’s unique body journey, and embracing self-acceptance as the foundation of genuine empowerment.

Through Selecfit, Baptiste aims to redefine beauty standards for Caribbean women and establish her brand as the region’s most trusted name in wellness and shapewear. Her story stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative belief that it is never too late to fall in love with oneself again.