Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – On September 6, 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett stood before a gathering of Caribbean nationals in Ethiopia, marking a significant moment of connection and dialogue on the eve of the revered CARICOM-Africa Day. This engagement, themed “Bridging Communities: Strengthening Caribbean-Africa Relations Through Diaspora Engagement, Reparatory Justice, Climate Innovation, Cultural and Inter-Faith Diplomacy,” served as a prelude to the pivotal Second CARICOM-Africa Summit, where leaders from both regions convened for their first in-person meeting.
Dr. Barnett articulated a profound sense of “homecoming,” acknowledging the deep historical and cultural threads that bind the Caribbean and Africa. “It is my honor to stand before sons and daughters of the Caribbean, whose journeys have brought you to Africa, where you have found a familiar history and culture and made a new home,” she remarked, highlighting the enduring spirit and shared heritage that transcends centuries of separation by oceans, colonialism, and an unjust economic order. The event at the Holy Trinity Cathedral underscored the vibrant cultures of the diaspora and their crucial role in fortifying the burgeoning partnership between the two regions.
A Summit of Shared History and Future Aspirations
The subsequent Second CARICOM-Africa Summit, held on September 7, 2025, at the African Union Headquarters, was a landmark event, building upon the foundation laid by the inaugural virtual summit in 2021. The gathering, under the theme “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” represented a tangible manifestation of the commitment to bridging historical divides and reaffirming familial bonds. Leaders from across the African continent and the Caribbean diaspora, recognized as the Sixth Region of the African Union, assembled to forge a common future rooted in solidarity and shared destiny.
Dr. Carla Barnett, a distinguished economist with over three decades of regional experience, emphasized that this summit was more than diplomatic discourse; it was a transformative effort to convert centuries of exploitation into opportunities for mutual progress. The event saw participation from heads of state, including Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali and Angolan President H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union. Global figures such as UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres were also in attendance, underscoring the international significance of this transcontinental dialogue.
Formalizing Ties: The CARICOM-AU Memorandum of Understanding
A cornerstone of the deepening CARICOM-Africa relationship is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the CARICOM Secretariat and the African Union Commission. This agreement, formalized on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, outlines crucial modalities for cooperation and collaboration across a spectrum of critical areas. The MoU aims to foster a conducive environment for investment, promote people-to-people interactions, and enhance solidarity through initiatives such as a diaspora volunteer exchange program, serving as a framework to associate people with development efforts.
Pillars of Cooperation: Reparations, Health, and Economic Growth
The summit’s agenda prominently featured the pursuit of reparatory justice. This aligned with the African Union’s designation of 2025 as the year for “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” with the CARICOM Reparations Commission at the forefront of global advocacy on this vital issue. Leaders committed to advancing demands for fair compensation for the enduring legacies of colonialism and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Beyond justice, significant strides are being made in other collaborative domains. The Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) has been launched, with a draft action plan designed to bolster health sector development capacity in both regions. A joint meeting of CARICOM and African Health Ministers ahead of the summit further solidified ongoing engagement and collaboration in this critical area.
Economically, the partnership is gaining momentum. CARICOM’s collaboration with Afreximbank is deepening, evidenced by the establishment of its Caribbean Headquarters in Barbados and the successful hosting of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) in multiple CARICOM member states since 2022. These initiatives are geared towards promoting investment, trade, and economic integration, addressing priority areas for sustainable development and improved livelihoods across both regions.
Empowering the Diaspora: Stories of Connection and Contribution
The engagement with the Caribbean diaspora in Ethiopia was a powerful reminder of their pivotal role in strengthening the fabric of Caribbean-Africa relations. Diaspora communities, enriched by diverse experiences, are increasingly recognized as vital partners in development, innovation, and cultural exchange. Their active participation is instrumental in bridging communities, sharing unique stories of resilience and achievement, and contributing to a shared legacy of progress.
As CARICOM and Africa continue to navigate global complexities, the strengthened partnership, amplified by diaspora engagement, signifies a unified commitment to addressing shared challenges. The ongoing dialogue and concrete initiatives stemming from events like the Second CARICOM-Africa Summit and Dr. Barnett’s diaspora engagements pave the way for a more interconnected, prosperous, and just future for all peoples of African descent.