News & Events

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has launched the construction of its first trade centre outside Africa, marking a historic development in Africa-Caribbean relations.

The US$180 million facility in Bridgetown, Barbados, will house Afreximbank’s CARICOM office, conference facilities, and a technology incubator. The Barbadian government provided 6.4 acres at Jemmotts Lane for the project. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley noted the site’s historical significance as Barbados’ first hospital for emancipated slaves in 1844.

The complex, part of Afreximbank’s wider trade hub initiative, will include a 100-room hotel, exhibition centre, and Digital Trade Gateway. It joins eight other planned centres across Africa, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Egypt sites. The project aims to strengthen South-South trade relations and enhance economic integration between Africa and the Caribbean Community.

This development follows Afreximbank’s 2018 Board decision to establish trade facilitation hubs in key commercial capitals, supporting international trade and investment connections.

Read the original article here: https://afreximbank.africa-newsroom.com/press/afreximbank-breaks-ground-on-historic-stateoftheart-afreximbank-african-trade-centre-aatc-in-barbados-first-outside-africa?lang=en

Reports suggest King Charles III is preparing a “secret offer” for the United States to become the Commonwealth’s 57th member, British tabloids claim.

President Donald Trump expressed support for the proposal on social media, stating “I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!”

The Sun and The Daily Mail report that the potential membership comes amid strained U.S.-EU relations over Ukraine. Sources suggest the move could strengthen the Anglo-American “special relationship” whilst potentially easing tariff tensions. The monarch’s reported invitation comes despite America’s historic separation from British rule. The Commonwealth, primarily comprising former British territories, would mark an unprecedented expansion to include the U.S.

President Trump, who maintains a cordial relationship with the British Royal Family, recently received a personal invitation from the King, delivered by PM Sir Keir Starmer during a White House visit, where Trump described Charles III as “a beautiful man.”

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/donald-trump-suggests-us-could-join-british-commonwealth/ar-AA1BoD9Z?ocid=BingNewsVerp

Every year, on March 12, the island nation of Mauritius comes alive with vibrant celebrations that mark its independence. The streets fill with the rhythmic sounds of traditional music, as colorful parades wind their way through cities and villages, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.

The day begins with solemn flag-hoisting ceremonies across the country, where the Mauritian flag – with its striking red, blue, yellow, and green stripes – rises proudly against the tropical sky. Military personnel in crisp uniforms perform precision drills, while the national anthem echoes through the air, stirring patriotic sentiments among gathered crowds.

Today’s celebrations reflect both this historical journey and the nation’s deep connection to nature. Mauritians, known for their environmental consciousness, incorporate their respect for the natural world into their independence celebrations. Parks and public spaces become venues for community gatherings, where the aroma of traditional cuisines mingles with the sweet scent of tropical flowers.

Cultural performances showcase the island’s diverse heritage, with traditional dances, music, and artistic displays representing the various communities that make up modern Mauritius. Children in colorful conventional attire perform at school events, while community centers host exhibitions highlighting the nation’s progress from a colonial territory to a prosperous, independent state.