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As Commonwealth leaders convene in Antigua and Barbuda this November, a coalition of senior officials is making the case for a strategic pivot: deepening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean to build resilience against global trade disruptions and geopolitical shocks.
According to a perspective published by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, African Export-Import Bank President Dr George Elombi, and International Trade Centre Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, the two regions share more than history and culture—they share economic ambitions. Both are working to diversify exports, add value locally, and create opportunities for small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and young people. The African Continental Free Trade Area and the Caribbean’s CARICOM Single Market and Economy represent institutional frameworks that could be connected across the Atlantic to unlock new possibilities.
The numbers suggest enormous untapped potential. Forthcoming analysis by the International Trade Centre, conducted with support from the African Export-Import Bank, reveals that only 10% of African companies and 12% of Caribbean companies currently trade with the other region. Yet among those engaged in cross-regional commerce, 79% of African firms and 82% of Caribbean firms reported positive or very positive experiences. The real challenge, the officials argue, is not demand but logistics.
Freight costs present a formidable barrier. The International Trade Centre estimates that shipping African goods to the Caribbean costs nearly 20% of shipment value, compared with just over 8% for African exports globally. Caribbean exports to Africa face costs approaching 22%. Limited direct shipping routes and fragmented networks continue to undermine viable trade, though a new scheduled air service between Lagos and Barbados, launched in 2026, signals how improved connectivity can support business travel, tourism, and services.
Beyond physical infrastructure, businesses struggle to access reliable market information, trusted partners, and appropriate financing. The officials highlight the importance of trade finance, working-capital facilities, and risk-sharing mechanisms, as well as more efficient cross-border payment systems. They point to Africa’s Pan-African Payment and Settlement System as a model that could inform financial links with the Caribbean.
The perspective emphasizes that value creation extends beyond goods into services, digital solutions, and creative industries—sectors where Africa and the Caribbean hold globally recognized cultural assets and extensive diaspora networks. Yet much creative value is currently captured elsewhere. The officials call for targeted support of creative businesses rather than cultural exchange alone, arguing this would generate more revenue and keep jobs in local economies. Through Commonwealth trade platforms, compatible regulations, mutual recognition of standards, and simpler border procedures, the officials suggest member countries can convert partnerships into sustainable investment and shared prosperity.
The Commonwealth comprises 56 member states spanning Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Asia, and Europe. The African Continental Free Trade Area, launched in 2021, aims to create a single market for goods and services across the African continent. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy seeks to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member states.
This perspective directly addresses Caribbean economic development and trade policy. Caribbean nations face high debt, limited affordable finance, climate exposure, and connectivity challenges. Expanding trade with Africa could diversify markets, attract investment, and create employment for Caribbean businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises and women-led ventures. The discussion of improved air services and payment systems has direct implications for Caribbean commerce and competitiveness.
Sources and attribution
- Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana
- Air Peace Strengthens Africa-Caribbean Connectivity with …
- Air Peace route hailed as boost for tourism, trade – Barbados Today
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