The event, themed “From Shared Roots to a Shared Future”;, featured two main components: a high-level morning conference and a vibrant African Village Corner showcasing food, fashion, art, and music from across the continent.
A Historic First for Afreximbank in Jamaica
This event marked Afreximbank’s first official activity following Jamaica’s recent signing on as a partner member state an achievement that positions the island to directly benefit from Africa’s growing trade, creative, and investment ecosystems.
The high-level panels explored the four sectors most ready for bilateral scale:
- SME Development & Trade Finance
- Tourism Diplomacy & Air Linkages
- Creative & Digital Economies
- Tech Innovation: Fintech, FashionTech, Agritech
Panellists included renowned actress Nancy Isime, music entrepreneur Bizzle Osikoya, Afro Kalangu Music executive Morell Akilah, SME expert Ayo Bankole-Akintujoye, Amb. Janet Olisa, Director of Regions, Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials from Afreximbank, JN Bank, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Business Development Corporation, Jamaica Tourism Enhancement Fund, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and Jamaica.
“African and Caribbean entrepreneurs are solving the same problems using different tools. When they connect, new industries emerge,”; said Agboola during the sessions.
The African Village: Culture as Commercial Diplomacy
Following the conference, the African Village Corner transformed the venue into a curated expression of African culture through food, fashion, music, and commerce. Designed to stir both emotion and investment interest, the Village drew guests into meaningful cultural exchange and economic discovery.
The African Village is not a sideshow; it’s a strategy,”; said Agboola. “We’re now taking it across CARICOM Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua and planning a Caribbean Village to debut in Africa very shortly.”;
Motherland Reconnect: From Showcase to System
NTT Global unveiled its next infrastructuremove, motherhoodreconnect.com, a digital collaboration platform where African and Diaspora businesses can register, partner, and grow together. It’s the online anchor of this movement, facilitating:
- Diaspora B2B matchmaking
- Tourism showcase registration
- Creative industry collaborations
- Pan-African–Caribbean policy and cultural programming
Next Steps: From Dialogue to Deliverables
While no formal deal was announced, the event catalysed multiple action tracks:
- Africa–Caribbean Collaboration Fund under design
- Direct Lagos-Montego Bay air route discussions are underway
- Quarterly Mobile African Villages across CARICOM
- Institutional support for AU–CARICOM relations Motherland Reconnect: From Showcase to System
