The 2025 Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) closed with landmark commitments to strengthen economic ties, including plans for a Caribbean EXIM Bank, a US $250 million sustainability fund, a regional payment system, and a proposed Africa-Caribbean Free Trade Area marking a decisive step toward deeper, institutionalized cooperation between the two regions.
The fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2025) concluded in Grenada on July 29 2025 marking a significant shift toward deeper Africa‑Caribbean economic integration amid growing global uncertainty. Over two days, more than 2000 delegates including heads of state, business leaders, financiers, and policymakers converged to solidify a shared vision of resilience and transformation. Under the theme “Resilience and Transformation,” the forum advanced proposals for an Africa‑Caribbean Free Trade Area, the expansion of the Africa‑Caribbean Business Council, creative economy investment, and improved air–sea connectivity between the regions.
« We have to be very deliberate about institutionalizing and creating institutions that will in fact recreate the type of trade, investment, banking, and financial relationships that we want to build for ourselves. »
DICKON MITCHELL, Prime Minister – Grenada
Key achievements included landmark commitments such as a feasibility study for a Caribbean EXIM Bank, the launch of a $250 million Green, Resilience and Sustainability Fund, and plans for a Caribbean Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS), modelled on Africa’s PAPSS, which will enable real-time cross-border transactions in local currencies. Delegates also agreed to explore the creation of an Africa-Caribbean free trade area, strengthen the Africa-Caribbean business council, expand financing for SMEs, women and youth-led enterprises, invest in creative industries, and improve transport connectivity, thus laying the groundwork for a sustainable, institutionalised partnership between the two regions.
« Finance is the lifeblood of the trade, it is what drives people. So if we get that payment system fully integrated, the payments can happen easily, and we get the African investors to see the Caribbean as an opportunity, then as they invest more, the drive towards our brother Wamkele here, the drive towards his African free trade area that includes the Caribbean will become more natural, it will happen on its own. »
George Elombi, Incoming president of Afreximbank – Cameroon
Deals and MoUs were also met to solidify and strengthen Africaribbean cooperation. In closing remarks, regional leaders pledged to move beyond dialogue toward institutional mechanisms that ensure progress ushering in a new chapter of pan‑African and Afro‑Caribbean economic sovereignty.
