World Leaders, diplomats and entrepreneurs have converged at the Caribbean Island nation of Grenada for a three-day Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum.
The event commenced on Monday, July 28th and concluded on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.
Welcome remark was handled by
Honourable Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, Grenada, while the special remarks were taken respectively by H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union (AU), H.E. Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM Secretariat.
More excerpts from the programme explained that H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, H.E. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria anchored the video messages.
In the same vein, H.E. Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, GCON, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank carried out the keynote address.
As the 2025 theme for the first day implied, “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an era of Global Uncertainty”, the programme drew captains of industry, the academia and diplomats across the world.
Among the top invited personalities who graced the global event was the Chairman, Centrafique Investment Group, CIG, who doubles as the Chairman of Tochil Group, and the Chairman of Earnwell Microfinance Bank Ltd, Ambassador Dr. Tochil Nwaneri.
Having built his conglomerates for decade of years in uprightness, firmness and selflessness, Ambassador Tochil Nwaneri was spotted with Prime Ministers from different Caribbean Countries throughout the three days of the event wrapped with the zeal for improved partnerships and new investment ideas.
It was learnt that Amb. Nwaneri’s discussions with the Prime Ministers centered on his quest to attract foreign investors to the Caribbean Countries, using the avenue to meet and announce his plans for the bilateral trade relationship.
A diplomatic and entrepreneurship enthusiast, Amb. Tochil Nwaneri has served as Advisor to the former Prime Minister of São Tome and Principe on Trade, Investment and Economic matters and was bestowed with global Peace awards courtesy of his comprehensible diplomatic ties with different Countries.
According to Nwaneri, his participation at the event was aimed at creating the environment to enable him give his indepth practical knowledge of foreign trade and investments.
Sequel to this, he disclosed that his plans are not only geared towards attracting investors to the Caribbean Nations, but to also seal a long lasting trade and investment relationship with the affected Caribbean Countries.
Recall that his global recognitions were made manifest from his several years of resilience in the promotion of bilateral economic relationship across Africa and investment in human capacity development.
Amb. Tochil Nwaneri, a highly revered cerebral from Imo State was said to have earned the admiration of the esteemed dignitaries at the event putting into consideration his antecedents to peaceful trade and investments across boards which the Caribbean Countries are at the verge of benefitting from the investors he is set to bring to their nations.
However, other keynote speakers hinged on the new World order as an opportunity for strengthening Africa-Caribbean Trade, Investment, and Cultural Relations.
Part of the sessions enumerated how strengthening trade, investment and cultural relations between Africa and the Caribbean can provide a counter-balance and exposure to geopolitical turbulence marked by increasing protectionism, multipolarity and rising geopolitical tensions.
Similarly, the event featured prominent African and Caribbean leaders that are championing Africa-Caribbean trade and investment relations which Amb Tochil Nwaneri has made great imprints in different sectors of the world’s economy.
Other dignitaries present were the Prime Minister Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon Dr. Terrance Drew, Honorable Roosevelt Skeritt, Prime Minister of Dominica, Honorable Gatson A. Brown, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H. E Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, H. E. Mahamadou Issoufou, Former president, Republic of the Niger, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister, St Lucia, Dr. George Elombi, Executive Vice President –Corporate Governance and Legal Services, Afreximbank (Incoming President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank).
