BARBADOS – November 10, 2025 – A significant convergence of African and Caribbean business acumen is set to unfold in Barbados this November as the prestigious GUBA Awards hosts its 16th edition, marking a historic first for the organization in the Caribbean region. Spearheaded by a robust delegation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, the three-day event, running from November 10th to 12th, 2025, aims to forge deeper economic and cultural ties between the two continents under the resonant theme, “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew.”
The GUBA Barbados Summit: A New Era of Diaspora Collaboration
The GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa) Awards, founded by British-Ghanaian entrepreneur Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, has long been a platform for celebrating African excellence. Its expansion into the Caribbean, with Barbados as the inaugural host, signifies a crucial step in strengthening the bonds within the global African diaspora. This landmark event is not merely an awards ceremony but a comprehensive initiative designed to foster tangible partnerships and collaborations across trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Organized in close partnership with the Government of Barbados, including key support from the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Invest Barbados, and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the summit brings together a diverse array of stakeholders. These include heads of state, policymakers, investors, and leading figures from various industries, all converging to explore shared opportunities and chart a course for mutual prosperity.
Nigerian Entrepreneurs Take Center Stage
Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders are poised to play a pivotal role in the summit’s proceedings, constituting a significant majority of early registrations. This strong Nigerian presence underscores the nation’s ambition to leverage the Caribbean as a strategic gateway for expanding its economic influence. Discussions are anticipated to focus on key sectors such as fintech, entertainment, and agriculture, exploring how Nigerian business models, proven successful in African markets, can be adapted and scaled within the Caribbean.
Lady Dentaa Amoateng has emphasized that the Barbados summit represents a pivotal opportunity for Nigerian businesses to expand into Caribbean markets, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of an emerging Africa-Caribbean trade corridor. The summit aims to facilitate the creation of new partnerships and unlock billions of dollars in potential trade.
Bridging Continents: Rekindling Economic Ties
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for both Africa and the Caribbean, regions historically bound by shared heritage but economically distanced. Despite deep cultural connections, formal trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean have remained underdeveloped, with bilateral exports rarely exceeding 6% of total exports for either region. Analysts, however, estimate a significant growth potential, projecting trade volumes to reach upwards of $1.8 billion by 2028 or even $2.1 billion within five years, with some estimates suggesting a potential trade space of $3 trillion.
This summit builds upon a growing momentum for Africa-Caribbean economic cooperation, bolstered by initiatives such as Afreximbank’s AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) and the Africa-CARICOM Summit. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) also provides a crucial framework for enhancing intra-African trade and strengthening the continent’s global negotiating power.
A Multifaceted Agenda for Growth and Connection
The three-day event encompasses a comprehensive agenda. The GUBA Trade and Investment Forum, a two-day conference, will serve as a dynamic platform for business leaders, policymakers, and investors to forge practical trade and development alliances. This will be complemented by a vibrant Cultural Showcase celebrating Afro-Caribbean creativity, fashion, music, and heritage, alongside the GUBA Awards Ceremony recognizing excellence across the African diaspora. A diplomatic reception at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados will further underscore the strategic importance of these burgeoning relationships.
A significant aspect of the summit will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI), signifying a shared commitment to deepening trade, investment, and enterprise linkages. The event also highlights the establishment of direct air routes, such as a new chartered flight from Ghana to Barbados, to facilitate easier travel and trade.
Barbados: A Strategic Gateway for Afro-Caribbean Relations
Barbados’s selection as the host nation is a strategic decision, recognizing its position as a vibrant hub for Afro-Caribbean culture and a growing center for economic development. The island offers a unique gateway, connecting the economic aspirations of Africa with the dynamic markets of the Caribbean and Latin America. The theme, “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny,” resonates deeply with this vision, seeking to transform past historical connections into future prosperity through collaboration and mutual respect. The summit aims to inspire individuals within the diaspora, encouraging them to recognize their collective economic leverage and transform cultural pride into enduring prosperity.
As Nigeria and other African nations join their Caribbean counterparts in Barbados, the GUBA Awards 2025 represents more than an event; it embodies a powerful testament to the shared resilience, interconnectedness, and boundless potential that defines the modern Africa-Caribbean community and its global stories.