BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has made a call for the removal of visas for travel between the Caribbean and Africa.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew signing Heads of Terms agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).“Too many walls still stand between Africa and the Caribbean, and visas are one of the,” Prime Minister Drew wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday,
The St. Kitts-Nevis leader is among several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders participating in the two-day fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) that ends in Grenada on Tuesday.
“At ACTIF2025, I made a strong call for their removal. Why? Because our people deserve the freedom to move, trade, invest, and connect without unnecessary obstacles.
“We share a rich heritage and limitless potential, and we must clear the path for deeper economic ties and cultural exchange. It’s time to break down the barriers and build the bridges our ancestors dreamed of,” Prime Minister Drew wrote on his Facebook page.
Earlier, Prime Minister Drew signed a Heads of Terms agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) which outlines the twin island Federation’s intent to access up to US$50 million under a climate-linked facility designed to finance major upgrades and development of critical social infrastructure.
The proposed “Education Construction and Rehabilitation Climate-Linked Facility” aims to address longstanding challenges in climate resilient infrastructure. The initiative is closely aligned with the Government’s agenda of building a sustainable and inclusive society, one where citizens benefit from modern, climate-resilient, and future-ready infrastructure.
“This agreement represents more than financing, it represents our vision for a stronger, more resilient St. Kitts and Nevis. We are laying the foundation today for generations to come to access quality education and vital services, regardless of their geographic or economic background,” Prime Minister Drew said.
The Heads of Terms agreement express a mutual intent to move forward with negotiations and final arrangements, subject to financing terms and approvals. It marks a significant show of confidence in St. Kitts and Nevis’ development plans by one of the continent’s largest multilateral financial institutions.
Prime Minister Drew said the government will now work closely with Afreximbank to define the terms and structure of the financing, ensuring the final facility aligns with the nation’s economic and social development goals, as well as its climate resilience commitments.
He said that the signing ceremony at ACTIF2025 not only underscored the strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean but also demonstrated his country’s leadership and forward-thinking approach in tackling global challenges through local action.
On Monday, Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, and the Creative Economy Minister, Samal Duggins, signed a Letter of Interest with Afreximbank to support the development of a state-of-the-art port in St. Kitts.
The US$40 million project, to be executed in partnership with Gemini Integrated Commodities Trading Company, is envisioned as a modern port facility that will bolster intra-African trade and strengthen St. Kitts and Nevis’ strategic links with the African continent. The facility is proposed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and is expected to be financed through a 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio.
