The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has strengthened its engagement with Jamaica through an inaugural roadshow aimed at expanding trade, investment and industrial development links between Africa and the Caribbean, officials said.
The event, held in Kingston on June 2, brought together government officials, business leaders and financial institutions under the theme “Empowering Jamaica’s Growth: Catalysing Trade, Investment and Industrialisation through Tailored Afreximbank Solutions.”
The initiative follows Jamaica’s signing of a partnership agreement with Afreximbank in July 2025 and the subsequent approval of a US$5 billion financing facility dedicated to Caribbean economies, including Jamaica.
Afreximbank said the roadshow was designed to raise awareness of its financing tools and trade facilitation services, while also gathering insights into Jamaica’s development priorities and investment needs.
Officials said the engagement forms part of a broader strategy to deepen economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean, often referred to by the bank as the “Global Africa” agenda.
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Speaking at the event, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, welcomed the growing partnership and urged local institutions to strengthen collaboration with Afreximbank to unlock new trade and investment opportunities.
“We understand that, for more than three decades, Afreximbank has been delivering financing solutions that support trade and drive economic growth across Africa,” she said. “It is clear that the partnership between Afreximbank and Jamaica continues to strengthen.”
She added that deeper engagement would help expand two-way trade flows between Africa and the Caribbean, which remain relatively limited despite cultural and historical ties.
Afreximbank’s Group Managing Director for Client Relations and Regional Office Operations, Eric Monchu Intong, said the bank sees industrialisation as central to economic transformation and sustainable trade growth.
He said Jamaica could benefit from lessons drawn from African countries where the bank has supported industrial parks, special economic zones and manufacturing capacity expansion.
“At Afreximbank, we believe that industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable trade and economic transformation. To trade successfully with Global Africa, we must first produce,” he said.
The bank highlighted its work in supporting industrial development across 18 African countries, including a $450 million global credit facility with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), as part of efforts to boost manufacturing and value-added exports.
Officials said similar models could help Jamaica reduce import dependence, create jobs and strengthen economic resilience through expanded local production and export capacity.
Afreximbank said the Kingston roadshow builds on momentum following the approval of its Caribbean financing programme, which aims to improve access to trade finance, investment capital and advisory services across the region.
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The bank added that strengthening Africa-Caribbean economic relations is a strategic priority, particularly as both regions seek to diversify trade partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation.
Analysts say the initiative reflects growing efforts to build structured economic corridors between Africa and the Caribbean, leveraging shared historical links and emerging opportunities in manufacturing, tourism and services.
While trade volumes between the two regions remain modest, policymakers and financial institutions increasingly view targeted financing and industrial cooperation as key to unlocking long-term growth potential.
