A Living Legacy: Flamboyant Tree Planted in Grenada to Honour Outgoing Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah

St. George’s, Grenada, 29 July 2025 – On the second day of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025), a symbolic tree-planting ceremony was held in Grenada to honour Professor Benedict Oramah, outgoing President of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), for his enduring contributions to Africa-Caribbean relations.

The Flamboyant tree, native to Madagascar but widely rooted across the Caribbean, was chosen for its beauty and symbolic resonance. Known for its brilliant red blooms, it is seen as a representation of vitality, peace, and the promise of growth, which echoes the very principles that have defined Oramah’s leadership.

Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dickon Mitchell led the tribute, praising Oramah’s transformational impact across the region.

“This symbolic but substantive planting of a Flamboyant tree, a tree which originates from Madagascar but has found its way to the Caribbean and adorns the landscape wherever you go, and when it blooms its beautiful red flowers inspire beauty, tranquility, and peace in all of us, is reflective of the significant role that you have played in ensuring that Global Africa can rise, can blossom, can bloom and can stand as a testament and a legacy for future generations,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.

In response, President Oramah expressed his deep gratitude to Grenada and the wider Caribbean community:

“As an agricultural economist, I know the value of a plant. In the food life cycle, it is the plant that stands as an anchor. As I join the Honourable Prime Minister in planting this tree, I am reminded that I have found a very deep anchor in Grenada and the CARICOM.”

Reflecting on the symbolism, he continued:

“A person who plants a tree must tend the tree, a person who plants a tree must come and harvest the tree, a person who plants the tree must always make sure that the tree lasts and lasts… That is why I regard this as that anchor that will bring me here and keep me here.”

“Africa is the cradle of civilisation. Africa has given the world life, and to use this tree planting to honour me means that you value the work we are doing to give life to people. I would like to reassure you that I will do whatever I can, until I’m not able to do anything, to keep us marching on– something I believe we are all committed to.”

The tree planting took place as ACTIF2025 enters its second day, bringing together high-level government officials, business leaders, and civil society from Africa and the Caribbean to deepen economic and cultural integration under the theme: “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”