Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development, have met with Dr. Timothy N.J. Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), to strengthen institutional collaboration between Africa and the Eastern Caribbean.
The high-level meeting took place in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and focused on deepening cooperation between Afreximbank and the Eastern Caribbean Economic and Currency Union (ECCU) over the coming decade.
The ECCB, which serves eight member territories within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), plays a pivotal role in maintaining monetary and financial stability across the region. Discussions centred on scaling transformative initiatives across critical sectors, including infrastructure development, renewable energy, food systems, logistics, digital connectivity, tourism, and port digitisation.
A key area of focus was financial inclusion and payments modernisation. Both institutions explored strengthening the CARICOM Payments and Settlement System (CAPSS), which was modelled after the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). Enhanced payment systems are expected to improve cross-border trade efficiency and deepen economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing renewable energy financing initiatives and broader mechanisms to mobilise long-term capital into productive sectors. Afreximbank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting strategic infrastructure projects, expanding Africa–Caribbean trade corridors, and delivering innovative financing solutions aligned with regional development priorities.
Both parties underscored the importance of safeguarding the stability of the Eastern Caribbean dollar, reinforcing financial system resilience, attracting and retaining skilled human capital, and promoting sustainable economic growth across member territories.
The engagement forms part of Afreximbank’s broader Global Africa agenda, aimed at unlocking investment flows, strengthening interregional connectivity, and fostering long-term prosperity between Africa and the Caribbean.