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Former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has issued a compelling call for Africa and the Caribbean to urgently deepen their ties and work as one, warning that the time for symbolic talk is over and the moment for bold, united action is now.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 32nd Annual Meetings of Afreximbank (AAM2025) in Abuja, Nigeria, Patterson delivered the keynote at a high-level plenary titled “Leveraging a Common Heritage: The Afreximbank Caribbean Initiative”. His speech set the tone for a critical conversation on transforming shared history into shared prosperity, amid growing global uncertainty and widening inequalities.

“We must honour the past by claiming the future,” Patterson said.

“This is no longer just about dialogue or diplomacy—it is about doing. Now.”

Patterson’s remarks come at a time of accelerating geopolitical shifts. From growing protectionism to fractured supply chains and climate vulnerabilities, many countries in the Global South are facing tighter financing conditions, high debt and worsening inequality.

“The post-World War II global order is imploding before our eyes,” Patterson warned. “In this unpredictable and fragmenting world, we must create a safe economic space for our own development—and we must do it together.”

He argued that Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to operate in silos, especially when their challenges—such as limited access to capital, overreliance on commodity exports, and brain drain are so deeply aligned.

The Afreximbank Caribbean Initiative, launched in 2022, is fast becoming a blueprint for turning talk into tangible action. Patterson praised the bank for its continued support, including:

“These are not just promises—they are actions,” Patterson said. “And they prove that when Africa and the Caribbean work together, we can solve our own problems.”

The session, moderated by Africa Business Group Chairman Michael Sudarkasa, featured an influential panel including Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis Dr Terrance Drew, AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi, and CARICOM Development Fund CEO Rodinald Soomer, among others.

They explored immediate ways to strengthen ties—especially in areas like energy, tourism, climate financing, education, and fintech. Patterson called for universities, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers across the two regions to act now to build networks that unlock value.

“We must engage in joint research, build factories and studios together, and design AI that reflects our values and responds to our realities,” he said. “We cannot allow ourselves to be reduced to passive consumers in the digital age.”

Beyond economics, Patterson stressed the importance of cultural and psychological emancipation.

“Our children must know they are heirs to ancient civilisations—masters of medicine, mathematics, and music before Europe even discovered its own continents,” he said. “Colonialism tried to erase our pride. Now, we must rebuild it.”

His final appeal was emotional but resolute: “Our ancestors brought with them not just pain, but purpose. They planted seeds of resistance and dignity, hoping we would one day harvest a better future. That time is now.”

With Afreximbank expanding its presence in the Caribbean and CARICOM leaders showing increasing political will, there’s cautious optimism that the Africa-Caribbean partnership is moving from vision to velocity.

But Patterson made it clear that the responsibility lies not just with governments or banks, but with people: “We must all play our part—not just for this generation, but for the impatient young and for those yet to be born.”