Africa and the Caribbean are reinforcing their partnership through the 2026 Africa-Caribbean Investment Summit, placing agriculture at the center of efforts to build a transatlantic economic bridge. As both regions seek to deepen cooperation, agriculture is emerging as a strategic sector to drive investment, strengthen food security, and accelerate economic integration.
At the heart of discussions at AACIS 2026, agriculture has been identified as a powerful lever for sustainable growth and job creation. In Africa, the sector contributes approximately 23% of GDP and employs over 60% of the workforce, according to the World Bank—highlighting its central role in livelihoods and economic resilience. These figures position agriculture as a natural foundation for stronger Africa-Caribbean collaboration.
“For more than three decades, Afrexin Bank has evolved into a leading institution for trade and development finance, deploying over 140 billion dollars to support economic transformation across Africa and strengthening ties with the African diaspora, including the Caribbean”
Alain Thierry Mbongue-, Regional Director of Operations, Afreximbank – Cameroon
In the Caribbean, agriculture contributes an average of around 5% of GDP within CARICOM, yet remains essential for employment and food security. In countries such as Belize, the sector accounts for 8% to 11% of GDP, while in Guyana, it represented nearly 25% of non-oil GDP in 2022. At the same time, heavy reliance on food imports highlights a major opportunity for partnership with Africa particularly in boosting local production and developing agri-food value chains.
“So for us, we need to give in the trade and increase, you know, bilateral trades from 4.8 billion dollars at least 20 billion dollars and I understand, you know, as one of that big contributor to that.”
Ayo Sotinrin, President and CEO of Bank Agricole – Nigeria
As AACIS 2026 demonstrates, agriculture is more than a sector; it is a strategic bridge between Africa and the Caribbean. By investing in modern farming, agro-processing, and rural infrastructure, both regions can unlock shared growth, strengthen food systems, and build a more resilient transatlantic partnership.
