African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS) Regarded as a Resounding Success

The long awaited and much talked about African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS) held in London, November 21-22, 2024, is regarded by delegates, speakers and panellists as a resounding success and long overdue.

Organised by HenleyCaribbean Sustainable Ventures, ACSIS’ aim is to bring together key diaspora stakeholders from the African and Caribbean business communities of the United Kingdom to discuss and strategize sustainable investments across various sectors under the theme: Leveraging the African, Caribbean and UK Business Opportunities: Investing in a Sustainable Future.

From the public endorsements received from Baroness Verma from Leicester; Labour MP Chi Onwurah from New Castle upon Tyne Central and West; H.E. Dr Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner for Antigua & Barbuda, H.E. Dr Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner for Antigua &Barbuda; H.E. Johnston Busingye, High Commissioner for Rwanda; Mr Hugh Walker, Head Africa Strategy Department, Foreign Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO); Mrs Opeyemi Abebe, Adviser & Head, Trade Competitiveness Section, Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources Directorate, The Commonwealth Secretariat and others, all of whom who attended ACSIS 2024, suggest the African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit is relevant, timely and met it’s aims and objectives as an important platform to promote bilateral partnerships between the two regions, Africa and the Caribbean through diaspora engagement.

The opening day of the African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS) at the House of Lords brought together high-profile dignitaries, emphasizing the urgency of South-South cooperation. Hugh Walker, Head of the Africa Strategy Department at the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, stressed that “the time is now” for African and Caribbean entrepreneurs to unite for greater efficiencies.

Chi Onwurah Labour MP for New Castle upon Tyne Central and West, celebrated Nigeria’s participation in discussions fostering collaboration and growth between these regions. H.E. Dr. Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner for Antigua & Barbuda, highlighted the untapped value of small island states’ maritime assets in her address on “The Caribbean’s Blue Economy: Opportunities for Growth.”

Segun Ajayi-Kadir mni, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, underscored the Caribbean’s growing role as a strategic partner, leveraging its strengths in tourism and cultural industries.

H.E Ambassador Colin Murdoch, Permanent Observer for the OECS to the UN summed up the future of trade between Africa and the Caribbean as being Digital and Green!

ACSIS sets the stage for impactful cross-regional innovation and collaboration.

Chairman of ACSIS, David F. Roberts, expressed his delight at the level of participation from both Africa and the Caribbean and remarks that a seed has been sewn for African and Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs to collaborate and cooperate for their socio-economic and cultural enrichment which by extension will redound to the benefit of their home countries.