The prestigious GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa) Awards are set to make history this November, expanding into the Caribbean for the first time with a landmark event in Barbados. This significant celebration of African excellence will unfold as part of a three-day Trade and Investment Summit, scheduled from November 10 to 12, 2025. The expansion marks a pivotal moment, aiming to spotlight and strengthen the burgeoning cultural and economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean, bridging the Atlantic once more. The overarching theme for this milestone edition, "Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew.", powerfully encapsulates the shared heritage and the collaborative future that both regions are actively forging.

A key highlight of the Barbados event will be the prominent presence of Nollywood legends Sola Sobowale, Tola Odunsi, and Stan Nze. These Nigerian screen icons are anticipated to take center stage during the Cultural Showcase and the awards ceremony. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant display of dazzling fashion, heartfelt tributes, captivating Caribbean-Afro fusion performances, and a special Hollywood-style feature moment from the acclaimed Sola Sobowale, whose participation has generated considerable excitement among fans in Barbados. Tola Odunsi and Stan Nze, celebrated for their dynamic contributions as filmmakers and actors, will also lend their star power and industry insights to the week's proceedings, further emphasizing the increasing global recognition and appeal of Nigerian storytelling and creative achievements.

Nigeria is poised to play a particularly significant role at this edition of the GUBA Awards. Organizers have noted that Nigerian delegates constitute the majority of early registrations for the summit’s crucial trade and creative forums. A formidable delegation is expected, comprising government leaders and influential figures from the entertainment, technology, and business sectors across Nigeria, from Lagos to Abuja. The Government of Barbados is providing robust support for the summit through its Office of the Prime Minister and leading agencies, including Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Invest Barbados, the Chamber of Commerce, and the National Cultural Foundation. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to fostering long-term Afro-Caribbean partnerships.

Recognizing the historical travel impediments between the two regions, GUBA has proactively arranged a direct charter flight. This special flight will connect Lagos, Accra, and Barbados, offering delegates a streamlined and convenient journey, bypassing the need for detours through Europe or North America. The initiative has been met with enthusiastic uptake, with limited spaces quickly being filled by Nigerian entrepreneurs, creatives, and executives.

Lady Dentaa Amoateng, GUBA Founder and President, articulates the deeper purpose behind this event: “Nigerian businesses and creatives have conquered African markets and made their mark globally. The Caribbean represents a powerful cultural and economic bridge we must embrace.” She stresses that the summit is far more than a glamorous awards ceremony; it serves as a vital platform for facilitating new trade deals, forging creative partnerships, and unlocking investment opportunities across diverse sectors such as entertainment, fashion, fintech, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Indeed, Nigeria's creative influence, from the global phenomenon of Afrobeats to blockbuster Nollywood productions, continues to resonate worldwide. The GUBA Awards in Barbados are set to deliver a spectacular showcase of African heritage thriving far beyond its continental borders. As Sola Sobowale, Tola Odunsi, and Stan Nze prepare to grace this international stage, it becomes unequivocally clear that Nigeria is not merely participating in the global future of Black excellence, but actively leading it. BellaNaija has been confirmed as a Media Partner for this momentous event.