JAMAICA | PJ Patterson to Address Afreximbank Annual Meeting in Nigeria

KINGSTON, Jamaica / ABUJA, Nigeria – June 20, 2025 – The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Statesman-in-Residence at the University of the West Indies, will attend the 32nd African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings in Abuja, Nigeria from June 25-28, 2025, following a personal invitation from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Patterson's participation in what is expected to be the largest gathering of Global Africa in Afreximbank's history underscores the growing strategic partnership between Africa and the Caribbean diaspora. Over 6,000 delegates, including Heads of State, government officials, business leaders, and development experts from Africa, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and globally, will convene under the theme "Building the Future on Decades of Resilience."

"This invitation from President Tinubu represents a significant recognition of the Caribbean's role in Africa's development trajectory," said Patterson. "The bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, forged through shared history and common aspirations, provide a foundation for transformative partnerships that can reshape global economic relationships."

Patterson, who served as Jamaica's Prime Minister from 1992 to 2006, was appointed "Relevant Caribbean Statesman" by the African Union in 2003 when it designated the diaspora as the Sixth Region of the continent. He currently leads the P.J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy, which coordinates public policy initiatives fostering development relations between the two regions.

President Tinubu's invitation specifically highlights Patterson's expected contribution to the Presidential Plenary session on "Can Africa and the Caribbean Rise in a Fractured World? The Strategic Role of Afreximbank." The session will examine opportunities for strengthening institutional cooperation and promoting African solidarity in addressing global economic challenges.

"Mr. Patterson's insights and experiences will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and contribute to formulating practical strategies for harnessing the power of our institutions to transform our economies and societies," President Tinubu stated in his invitation letter.

The timing of Patterson's visit coincides with significant milestones in Nigeria-Africa development initiatives. During the meetings, participants will witness the formal launch of transformative projects including the African Medical Centre of Excellence, the African Quality Assurance Centre, and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Abuja.

Nigeria, as Afreximbank's second-largest shareholder and the bank's largest beneficiary with cumulative disbursements of approximately US$52 billion, will use the gathering to showcase its role in advancing intra-African trade and development finance.

The annual meetings will feature high-level policy discussions, business networking sessions, and presentations on critical issues including trade financing, industrialization, implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and South-South partnerships.

Patterson's attendance represents a strategic convergence of Caribbean and African development priorities, particularly as both regions seek to strengthen economic sovereignty and enhance their roles in global governance structures.

The former Prime Minister is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with African leaders on climate change adaptation, reparative justice initiatives, and expanding educational and cultural exchanges between the Caribbean and Africa.

About the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson: P.J. Patterson served as Jamaica's sixth Prime Minister from 1992 to 2006, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Jamaica's history. He is Statesman-in-Residence at the P.J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy at The University of the West Indies and a recognized advocate for Caribbean-African cooperation and South-South partnerships.

About Afreximbank: The African Export-Import Bank is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution established in 1993 to finance, facilitate and promote intra and extra-African trade. The bank serves as a catalyst for African economic integration and development through innovative trade finance solutions.

-30-