Abuja, Nigeria, March 25, 2025 (PMO) — Day One of the Aquarian Consult Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS 2025), held under the theme “Bridging Continents: Africa and the Caribbean – A Partnership for Prosperity,” commenced on March 25 in Abuja, Nigeria, with an inspiring keynote address and official declaration of summit opening by Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew.
The opening day featured remarks from other esteemed leaders, including former President of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, and other high-level African and Caribbean officials. However, the highlight of the morning was the dynamic and passionate keynote address from Prime Minister Drew, who called for a new era of solidarity, investment, and innovation between Africa and the Caribbean.
“This summit is more than an assembly of minds. It is a declaration of intent. Africa is not a distant relative to the Caribbean; it is our mother. And today, we are not just visiting; we are returning—with purpose, with vision, and with an unwavering belief in what we can achieve together.”
Drawing on St. Kitts and Nevis’ own developmental priorities, the Prime Minister outlined a number of transformational initiatives taking place in the twin-island Federation, including bold investments in geothermal energy, sustainable agriculture, financial reform, and a reimagined Citizenship by Investment programme.
“We are moving steadily toward a future where our electricity grid is powered primarily by clean, renewable energy from beneath our very feet,” he said, referencing the country’s ambitious geothermal project. “This project is not just a solution for St. Kitts and Nevis—it is a model for small island developing states and African nations with similar geophysical capacity.”
Dr. Drew also highlighted the strategic importance of shared economic instruments and cultural linkages, stating: “Let us not only seek capital—let us design it, control it, and direct it to where it can have the most transformative impact.” He emphasized that prosperity is also cultural, and called for greater collaboration between the Caribbean’s creative sectors and Africa’s booming cultural industries.
The Prime Minister’s address was followed by a powerful contribution from Ms. Sanya Alleyne, representing the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who participated in a panel discussion exploring Afri-Caribbean Investment Opportunities and Enablers. Ms. Alleyne underscored the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in trade, tourism, and entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging sectors and through diaspora engagement.
The energy and momentum continued with a presentation by Hon. Mark Brantley, who delivered a rousing update on the St. Kitts and Nevis Island Climate Enhancement Project (SKNICE). His remarks placed a spotlight on the Federation’s leadership in the field of renewable energy, particularly through its geothermal initiatives, and the role these developments can play in securing climate resilience and energy independence in the region.
The summit will continue over the next two days, with a packed agenda of high-level presentations and panel discussions focused on critical areas of mutual interest.
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