By Kenton X. Chance
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Africa and Caribbean leaders met here on Sunday for the Second Summit of the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with incoming chair of the island bloc, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Terrance Drew, calling for an acceleration of the deepening of ties between the two regions.
“Our discussions today should allow us to come to a common understanding and collaboration on a wide range of issues pertinent to our shared priorities,” said Drew, who is taking over the six-month rotating chairmanship of CARICOM from Jamaica’s Andrew Holness.
The summit was held under the theme “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.
Drew said the shared priorities include reparations, multilateral cooperation, reform of the international financial architecture, debt sustainability, finance, education, health, climate change, youth engagement, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, trade and investment, maritime and air transport, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
“What is clear is that closer collaboration between Africa and CARICOM is impatient of urgent attention and action, in order to achieve positive outcomes for both our Regions. Action must be the underpinning sentiment of all that we do,” he said as the leader met for their first in-person summit.
The first AU-CARICOM Summit was held 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sunday’s gathering was held on the fifth anniversary of Africa-CARICOM Day,
Drew said current global events demonstrate clearly that it is in the best interests of both Africa and CARICOM to work together, as developing regions, to achieve increased levels of economic and social progress.
“And I heard the word of the President Mahmoud [Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission] that we are to drop the word ‘developing’ and convert that into something that represents what we are seeking to achieve,” he said.
The summit was taking place even as the fourth Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IAFT2025) was being held in Algeria, with the Africa Export-Import Banks (Afreximbank) as one of the co-organisers, whihc is bringing together tens of thousands of exhibitors and visitors through Wednesday.
Drew commended Afreximbank, particularly its President and Chair of the Board of directors, Professor Benedict Oramah’s leadership as well as to numerous political and other leaders across Africa, “who through concrete initiatives, are encouraging trade, investment, cultural and sporting exchange, and other collaboration between CARICOM and Africa. And I dare say, that it has begun.”
The incoming CARICOM chairman, however, spoke to the need for increased transportation linkages to reinforce the bond between CARICOM and Africa.
“… our peoples should travel freely and unabated to Africa and CARICOM. We need increased trade and investment, building on the experience, potential, and amplification of the cultural, historical and economic linkages between our regions,” he said.
“What was once a devastating tragedy for our people — the Atlantic Slave Trade — should now be translated into the Atlantic Bridge, a bridge of hope, a bridge of advancement, a bridge that will ensure that our people take their rightful place in this world. It therefore calls for more cooperation and more advancement,” he said, echoing an idea he has expressed at multiple gatherings of the people of Africa and the Caribbean.
“Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters of this great continent, we are happy to be home again. We have the opportunity to rewrite historical outcomes and to be champions of our own destiny,” Drew said.
“CARICOM remains committed to the CARICOM-AU partnership on this fifth anniversary of Africa-CARICOM Day, as we celebrate the enduring kinship and deepening partnership between our people, between the Caribbean Community and Africa. Let this celebration be a demonstration of this new relationship that we are forging.”