Africa accounts for just 1.4% of CARICOM exports, underscoring the limited level of commercial exchange despite longstanding historical ties. Against this backdrop, Grenada is urging stronger Africa–Caribbean cooperation through trade, culture and diaspora engagement, as leaders seek to translate shared heritage into tangible economic gains. Speaking during African Liberation Day celebrations in May 2026, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell called for deeper institutional and economic links between both regions. The push is further reflected in regional trade data showing that Africa–CARICOM exchanges still represent less than 3% of the Caribbean bloc’s total trade, highlighting significant untapped potential.
Africa accounts for just 1.4% of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) exports, while trade between the two regions remains below 3% of the Caribbean bloc’s total commerce, highlighting significant untapped potential. Against this backdrop, Grenada is advocating stronger Africa–Caribbean cooperation through trade, culture and diaspora engagement. Speaking during African Liberation Day celebrations in May 2026, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell called for deeper institutional and economic ties, arguing that stronger partnerships could unlock opportunities in trade, investment, tourism and innovation. The initiative also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area, a market of more than 1.4 billion people that is expected to further expand economic opportunities across the continent.
Africa and the Caribbean have gone through much separately. Now we must go together much farther. And therefore, the connection must move beyond symbolism. It must translate into tangible collaboration. We must deepen cooperation in trade and investment by expanding economic partnerships between our nations, creating opportunities for businesses, innovation, and sustainable development.
Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister – Grenada
For Grenada, engagement with Africa is not simply a matter of historical affinity but a strategic commitment to shaping a shared future. Despite its small geographic size, the Caribbean nation sees itself as a meaningful contributor to strengthening Africa–Caribbean relations, with leaders expressing readiness to play a more active role in advancing cooperation across economic, cultural and diplomatic spheres.
While Grenada may be small in size, we have never been small in history, we have never been small in identity, courage, or responsibility. Grenada stands ready to be an active partner in this engagement, committed to building a modern, dynamic relationship with Africa, grounded in mutual respect and shared opportunity.
Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister – Grenada
With trade between Africa and the Caribbean expected to rise to US$1.8 billion per year by 2028, both regions are increasingly looking to convert historical connections into stronger economic partnerships, positioning cooperation in trade, investment and innovation at the centre of a new transatlantic agenda.
We must use our culture for strengthening our shared experience, our shared heritage, but importantly, forging a united future, whether it be in arts, education, the creative industries. Greater potential lies also in tourism and heritage connection, youth and technology partnerships. By empowering the next generation of Africans and the diaspora to lead in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and global partnership. So we cannot therefore limit our relationship to speeches and ceremonies. We must convert the sentiment into structure, into economics, and to move the memory into a movement
According to Afreximbank, intra-African trade grew by 12.4 percent in 2024 to reach 220.3 billion USD, underscoring the continent’s expanding economic dynamism and the opportunities created by deeper regional integration. Grenada believes closer engagement with Africa could build on this momentum, opening new avenues for trade, investment and economic cooperation across both regions.
