Prime Minister Drew Advocates for Increased Trade and an Africa-Caribbean Economic Renaissance

A Bridge Across the Atlantic: Reimagining Africa-Caribbean Relations through Trade and Cooperation

Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis delivered a compelling address at the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on September 4, 2025. Speaking before an assembly of African Heads of State, African Union officials, and international partners, Dr. Drew advocated for a transformative shift in the relationship between Africa and the Caribbean. He called for the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade to be reimagined as a “Trans-Atlantic bridge of hope,” built upon the foundations of trade, investment, and shared development. The Prime Minister’s intervention emphasized the historical interconnectedness of the two regions and highlighted the untapped potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.

The backdrop for Dr. Drew’s address was the overarching theme of the trade fair: establishing Africa as a global economic powerhouse through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Representing the Caribbean, recognized as the sixth region of the African Union, the Prime Minister underscored the Caribbean’s unique position within the Pan-African movement. He presented a vision of a future where Africa and the Caribbean collaborate strategically to leverage their respective strengths and address shared challenges. This vision, he argued, is not merely an economic imperative but a historical and moral one, a chance to rewrite a shared narrative of exploitation and forge a new path of self-determination and prosperity.

Dr. Drew acknowledged the historically low levels of trade between Africa and the Caribbean, currently estimated at around 1% or less. However, rather than viewing this as a sign of weakness, he posited that it represents a significant opportunity for growth. This low baseline, he argued, is a “silver lining,” a starting point from which trade can only ascend. It is an invitation to build something new and powerful, to unlock the dormant potential within both regions and create a vibrant economic corridor across the Atlantic. This perspective reframes the narrative from one of deficiency to one of immense possibility.

The Prime Minister showcased several initiatives already underway that demonstrate the growing interconnectedness between Africa and the Caribbean. He pointed to burgeoning partnerships in education with the Open University of Tanzania and vocational training programs in Kenya, along with nascent collaborations in Ghana. These examples, he emphasized, are just the beginning of a much broader and deeper engagement. They represent the first tentative steps towards realizing the vision of a truly integrated Africa-Caribbean partnership. The goal, he stressed, is not simply to increase trade volume but to foster sustainable and equitable development that benefits all involved parties.

Dr. Drew further delineated key sectors ripe for expanded cooperation, including emerging technologies, agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, healthcare, sports, and the creative industries. He highlighted the potential of geothermal energy collaboration with countries like Kenya and the transformative impact that direct air links could have on tourism between the two regions. These examples, he suggested, illustrate the breadth and depth of the potential synergies between Africa and the Caribbean. By aligning their resources and expertise, both regions can achieve accelerated progress and unlock new avenues for sustainable growth.

Grounding his call for renewed partnership in the historical context of the Pan-African struggle, Dr. Drew invoked the legacies of iconic figures like Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, and Kwame Nkrumah. He reaffirmed the Caribbean’s unwavering commitment to the global movement for liberation and unity, highlighting the region’s enduring connection to the African continent. This historical context, he argued, provides both the motivation and the moral imperative for forging stronger ties. It is a call to honor the sacrifices of those who came before and to fulfill the promise of a unified and empowered Pan-African world.

Dr. Drew concluded his address with a resounding message of unity and self-determination. He declared that the Caribbean is deeply invested in forging a stronger relationship with Africa, both as a continent and as its sixth region. This renewed partnership, he emphasized, is crucial for creating opportunities for the people of both regions and for rewriting their shared history. This is not a history imposed from the outside, but one crafted by Africans and Caribbeans, for their own benefit and on their own terms. It is a history of shared prosperity, resilience, and self-reliance, built on the foundation of mutual respect and cooperation. This vision, as articulated by Prime Minister Drew, offers a compelling roadmap for a future where Africa and the Caribbean stand together as equals on the global stage. They are united not only by their shared history but also by their shared aspirations for a brighter future built on the principles of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and mutual empowerment.