PRIME MINISTER DREW CALLS FOR BOLD ACTION TO REMOVE BARRIERS BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 22, 2026 (SKNIS): Delivering the keynote address at the Royal African Society’s 125th Anniversary Flagship Business Event at the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, called for a new era of connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, urging governments and regional institutions to dismantle unnecessary barriers to travel, trade and investment.

Prime Minister Drew said that while Africa and the Caribbean share deep historical, cultural and ancestral ties, those relationships must now be strengthened through practical measures that facilitate the movement of people, goods, services and capital. He highlighted Saint Kitts and Nevis’ decision to establish visa-free access for citizens of every African country, describing the policy as a tangible demonstration of the Federation’s commitment to strengthening ties with the African continent.

“We have done so because we cannot call ourselves family while maintaining unnecessary barriers between our people,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew, while calling for greater reciprocal visa-free travel between Africa and the Caribbean and proposed the eventual establishment of a structured Africa-Caribbean mobility arrangement supported by cooperation, technology and mutual trust.

He also stressed the need for stronger economic integration through direct air services, improved maritime transportation, efficient customs systems and modern payment platforms capable of supporting cross-border commerce.

“An entrepreneur in Saint Kitts and Nevis should be able to trade with a customer in Africa without facing unnecessary financial and logistical barriers,” he said. 

Prime Minister Drew noted that stronger engagement between CARICOM and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would unlock significant opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and investors while expanding market access across both regions.

He emphasised that meaningful integration requires more than political goodwill; it demands modern infrastructure, coordinated policies and sustained institutional collaboration that enable people and businesses to connect with confidence.

The prime minister encouraged governments, financial institutions and the private sector to work collectively to build a seamless Africa-Caribbean partnership that delivers tangible economic opportunities for current and future generations.

-30-

The post PRIME MINISTER DREW CALLS FOR BOLD ACTION TO REMOVE BARRIERS BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN appeared first on SKNIS.