PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged the Fourth Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) to provide concrete solutions to the trade and investment challenges facing African and Caribbean nations.

Speaking on Monday during the Heads of State and Government discussion at the opening of the Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2025) at the Radisson Convention Centre in St. George’s, Grenada, Majaliwa emphasized the need for open discussions to identify and address all barriers hindering trade between the regions. Majaliwa is attending the forum on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“Beyond discussing these challenges, our countries must create conducive environments to attract investment and offer cooperation to investors willing to invest in our nations. For us in Tanzania, Aliko Dangote is a living example; he has invested significantly in the construction of a cement factory,” he stated.

Other leaders participating in the discussion included Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt of Dominica; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados; Prime Minister Gaston A. Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis; Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of St. Lucia and Rwanda's Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi.

ACTIF's Growing Impact and Future Vision was established in 2022 with the aim of fostering economic and cultural cooperation between African and Caribbean nations. In just three years, the forum has strengthened public and private sector partnerships and the signing of over USD $4 billion in agreements and memoranda of understanding. This success has spurred the idea of establishing a formal trade zone between African and Caribbean countries.

Grenada's Prime Minister, Dickon Thomas Mitchell, underscored the importance of formalizing resources and empowering economic platforms like the Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum. “This step will ensure our youth recognize that the sole path to our countries' growth depends on the economic decisions made now regarding the importance of strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Africa and the Diaspora.”

Prof Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AFREXIMBANK, suggested that the forum should establish its own institutions capable of accelerating development. "Currently, we are working to establish a Caribbean Bank, which we believe will significantly act as a catalyst for facilitating trade and developing industries, similar to what AFREXIMBANK has achieved in Africa." 

The core objectives of ACTIF are to strengthen historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, create a favourable environment for bilateral trade and investment, and stimulate mutual economic development.

Majaliwa is accompanied by Shariff Ali Shariff, Zanzibar’s Minister of State, President's Office (Labour, Economy and Investment and Wilbroad Kayombo, Tanzania's Acting Ambassador to Cuba, the Caribbean, Central America, Venezuela and Guyana.