ACTIF2025 and SVG’s future towards self-emancipation beyond the political divide

By Kenna Questelles, independent candidate for West St. George

In Grenada, the echoes of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) still resonate. The air here has been thick with ambition, the hum of deals, and the inspiring vision of a revitalised “Global Africa”. 

Over 2,100 delegates, 11 heads of state and government, and a formidable array of business leaders converged, discussing everything from establishing direct shipping lanes and digital marketplaces to co-investing in vital sectors and even a proposed global Africa athletics championships. 

The incredible energy of ACTIF2025 was palpable, and I was there to experience it first-hand. As a participant and a Vincentian, I couldn’t help but notice a conspicuous absence — the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the main opposition, and any of their official representatives were nowhere to be found among the active delegations. As one of perhaps only a handful of Vincentians present,  I found myself reflecting deeply on the implications for our nation’s future under a ULP or NDP government.

While our sister islands in the OECS were robustly represented — a welcome testament to regional solidarity and foresight — St. Vincent and the Grenadines was left on the sidelines. My independent voice from our beloved nation, amidst this vibrant forum, underscored for me the critical need for real change, not exchange. This isn’t just a point of fact; it’s a profound wake-up call, particularly as we approach Emancipation Day, a moment when we reflect on our past and chart our future.  

The celebration of Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day is more than just a public holiday. It is a powerful reminder of our shared history with Africa — a history of struggle, resilience, and a yearning for freedom.  It is a day to acknowledge the becoming of who we are as a people — our music, dance, and cultural stories that have been inextricably linked to the African continent.

This deep cultural foundation, born from the unspeakable pain of the transatlantic slave trade, is precisely why our current engagement with Africa must be profoundly different. This isn’t about Africa “coming in like the Europeans”; it is a reconnection of family, born of shared heritage, seeking mutual empowerment. This is real change, not exchange.

The African continent holds immense opportunities for the Caribbean; that much is undeniable. But as I sat through the presentations and networking sessions, the most crucial takeaway for me, and us as a nation, was this: it is vital that we also recognise our strengths. St. Vincent and the Grenadines must strategically envision and position itself as a capable 21st-century, global trade partner, ready to provide the world, including Africa, with valuable opportunities.

This cannot be a one-way street, where we are perpetually seeking aid or simply receiving. Our blessed land offers unique value, from the bounty of our agricultural produce grown in fertile volcanic soil to our vibrant creative industries and the untapped potential of our blue economy. These are resources that Africa can benefit from. 

However, the world is in a VUCAH stage — marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, hyperconnectivity, and hostility. Therefore, St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be strategic in its offerings to Africa beyond traditional goods and services. Our contribution can and must extend into areas like:

• Strategic diplomatic representation: Our nation, though small, has a proven track record of principled multilateral diplomacy, as evidenced by our recent term on the UN Security Council. While the ULP may campaign heavily on this past post, the true measure of our global presence lies not just in where we sit, but in what tangible benefits we secured for our people.

We can leverage this experience to amplify African voices on critical global issues, acting as a trusted partner in coalition-building and bridging North-South divides in international forums. We have built alliances and gained expertise that can serve the broader “Global Africa” agenda.

• Facilitating citizenry and people-to-people connections: While St. Vincent and the Grenadines is still deliberating on a formal citizenship by investment (CBI) programme — a debate that has sparked much contention on the ground — the ULP government has stubbornly refused to implement one, often citing vague dangers, while the NDP has been evasive on the crucial details of how such a programme would work, leaving Vincentians in the dark.

Yet, it is important to note that other OECS islands already operate structured and transparent programs for managing citizenry and investment pathways. St Vincent and the Grenadines, too, must develop clear, well-regulated mechanisms that, alongside a more accessible visa regime for African citizens, foster not just tourism but vital business travel, cultural exchange, and educational opportunities.

• Human capital and expertise sharing: We possess niche expertise in areas like sustainable tourism management, disaster risk reduction, financial regulation within the offshore sector, and small state governance. These are areas where Vincentian professionals can offer valuable knowledge and solutions to our African partners, fostering a true “brain circulation” for mutual growth and development.

Professor Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank, articulated this perfectly, and his words resonate deeply with what I believe for St. Vincent and the Grenadines: “The geographical size of a Caribbean nation is not a determinant of its potential for trade and investment, but rather its strategic vision, policy environment, and proactive engagement.” This is not a lament; it is a blueprint. Our modest size is not a barrier; it’s an impetus for smarter, more agile thinking. We must shed the mindset that small means insignificant on the global stage.

The success of ACTIF2025 – and the very presence of our OECS neighbours — underscores a vital point: unity among our Caribbean islands is paramount. We are stronger together. Our collective voice in CARICOM and the OECS significantly amplifies our presence on the global stage. This allows us to negotiate better, attract more investment, and present a more cohesive front to partners like Africa. St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be an active, integral part of this Caribbean unity, ensuring that our unique strengths contribute to the collective prosperity of our region.

The conspicuous absence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ official representatives at this pivotal conference highlighted a critical void in our nation’s approach. It speaks to an urgent need for a decisive way forward, built on four key pillars of a clear and actionable foreign policy that includes Africa, proactive engagement, empowering our people, and championing reciprocity. 

My commitment to the people of West St. George, and indeed to all Vincentians, is to ensure that our nation is not left behind in this transformative moment. We cannot afford to be spectators when our destiny is being shaped. As we commemorate Emancipation Day, let us remember that true freedom lies not just in breaking the chains of the past but in forging new pathways to prosperity.

This proactive engagement with Africa is, in itself, a powerful form of reparations for our nation, not just sitting and waiting for our former colonisers to recognise us and pay up, but about empowering ourselves, leveraging our agency, and building a future of dignity and self-determination with our kin. It is time for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to embody a strategic vision, create the enabling policy environment, and embrace the proactive engagement that will truly define our potential on the global stage.

Less talk, more action. The time for action is now

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