BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Caribbean leaders are expected to meet with their African counterparts during the 32nd African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings (AAM) in Abuja, Nigeria from June 23-28 this year.
“We expect the event, especially the opening ceremony on June 27, to bring together Heads of State, heads of regional organizations from Africa and the Caribbean, as well as policymakers, academics, and business leaders,” said Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egypt-based, Afreximbank
“Together, we will pool our experiences and resources to deliver another historic event for Africa, the bank and me personally,” he added.
Afreximbank, a pan-African multilateral trade finance institution, has already announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art trade center in Barbados.
It said that the 30,000-square-meter complex will comprise the Afreximbank Caribbean regional offices, corporate office space, a 120-room hotel, conference, exhibition, business incubation centre among other facilities.
Earlier this month, Grenada and Afreximbank entered into an agreement for St. George’s to host the fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) from July 10-1 this year.
“This prominent forum, expected to draw over 800 delegates, including heads of state and key business leaders, will focus on driving investments across vital sectors such as tourism, logistics, agriculture, IT, energy, and the creative industries. It aims to further the development of an Africa-Caribbean free trade area, fostering deeper economic collaboration between the regions,” it said.
Afreximbank said its annual meetings “is one of the most anticipated gatherings on the African continent, featuring high-level policy discussions, presentations, and side events on issues pertinent to the socio-economic development of Africa as well as business networking sessions that drive integration through trade and investments.
It said the meeting in Nigeria is expected to be the largest gathering of Global Africa in the bank’s history, bringing together over 6,000 delegates from Africa, the the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and globally.
The meeting will be held under the theme, ‘Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,’ saying it “reflects the progress that we have made over the past three decades and the bold steps that are imperative to navigate the increasingly complex global landscape.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) has given our continent an unrivalled opportunity to deliver sustainable economic transformation that will propel Africa’s economic growth and raise living standards and prosperity for all Africans.
“Afreximbank annual meetings will provide a platform to reflect on our journey, celebrate contributions, and chart a path forward that reinforces our continent’s economic independence and global influence. We look forward to welcoming and meeting stakeholders from across Africa and other parts of the world to Abuja for this prestigious event,” he added.
Afreximbank said that this year’s event comes on the backdrop of the highly successful 2024 AAM, held in The Bahamas and attended by over 4,000 delegates.
