Prime Minister Drew Urges Decisive Collective Action at Actif2025

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis delivered a compelling address at the fourth Africa Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025), urging a paradigm shift in the perception of the Atlantic Ocean. He challenged attendees to view the Atlantic not as a barrier separating Africa and the Caribbean, but as a bridge connecting two regions with shared history, culture, and potential for mutual prosperity. Dr. Drew emphasized the critical need for stronger collaboration and integration between Africa and the Caribbean, advocating for increased trade, investment, and cultural exchange to propel both regions onto the center stage of global development. He envisioned a future where these regions actively shape a more equitable and inclusive world order, rather than remaining on the periphery.

The Prime Minister underscored the significance of ACTIF2025 as a testament to the growing commitment towards reuniting the African and Caribbean peoples. He stressed that dismantling the existing bureaucratic and physical barriers hindering collaboration is not an insurmountable task. Achieving this vision, according to Dr. Drew, requires a clear, shared vision, unwavering commitment, and a collective will to act. He highlighted the need for tangible outcomes from the forum, transforming discussions and ideas into concrete actions that strengthen the bonds between the two regions.

Dr. Drew pointed to existing progress in academic exchanges, cultural integration, and trade missions as encouraging signs of the potential for deeper collaboration. He specifically called for simplified travel between Africa and the Caribbean, mirroring the ease of travel to Europe. This would entail eliminating visa requirements and streamlining flight routes, making it as simple for people to travel between the two regions as it is to travel to other continents. This enhanced connectivity would facilitate greater interaction and foster a more dynamic relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.

The Prime Minister framed the connection between Africa and the Caribbean as a reunion of a global African diaspora, united not only by ancestral heritage but also by shared aspirations for progress. He urged participants to embrace this interconnectedness and collectively build an “Atlantic Bridge” leading towards a future defined by their own vision. He emphasized the urgency of this moment, declaring it as the time for Africa and the Caribbean to take their rightful place on the world stage.

Furthermore, Dr. Drew highlighted Saint Kitts and Nevis’s proactive role in fostering partnerships with African institutions like Afreximbank. This demonstrates the Federation’s commitment to expanding opportunities for trade, education, and cultural exchange across the Atlantic. He underscored the importance of such partnerships as tangible steps towards realizing the vision of a stronger, more integrated Afro-Caribbean community.

In conclusion, Dr. Drew’s address at ACTIF2025 served as a powerful call to action, urging participants to move beyond rhetoric and embrace concrete steps towards realizing the untapped potential of the Africa-Caribbean relationship. He envisioned a future where the Atlantic Ocean serves as a conduit for collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity, transforming the historical narrative of separation into one of unity and mutual empowerment. By dismantling barriers and building bridges, Dr. Drew believes Africa and the Caribbean can collectively shape a brighter future, driven by their shared vision and determination. He urged the attendees to seize the moment and solidify the “Atlantic Bridge,” ushering in an era of greater cooperation and prosperity for both regions.