The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium is an important forum for creating and expanding business and trade linkages between Trinidad and Tobago, Africa and the rest of the Diaspora. The Symposium combines enlightening discussions with opportunities for networking. Over the past 15 years, the Symposium has featured prominent business professionals from across the diaspora including Ms. Judith Aidoo, CEO, Caswell; Mr. Harry Alford, President National Black Chamber of Commerce (USA); Prince Billy Harry, Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mining & Agriculture; representatives of the AU, ECOWAS, the World Bank. Delegations have attended from South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria and other African countries and provided the impetus for trade delegations between Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. It is an essential vehicle for growth, development and prosperity for Trinidad and Tobago as well as for the nations of Africa and the Diaspora around the world.
Unlocking the Power of Trans-Atlantic Partnerships.
The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT) in collaboration with the Africa Business Group presents the 2025 Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium – “Opportunities for Economic Diversification and Resilience through Expansion of Trade and Investment with West Africa”.
We are pleased to invite you to join us as a delegate at the 2025 Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium. This landmark event—now in its 23rd year—will take place on Thursday, July 31st, 2025, at the VIP Lounge at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, Queen’s Park Savannah.
This year’s Symposium arrives at a pivotal moment in global economics. As traditional trade alliances shift amid emerging tariff conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty, the Caribbean and Africa are poised to redefine their economic destinies—together.
For over two decades, the ESCTT has been a leading voice in reshaping regional trade dynamics, advocating for deeper, more meaningful commercial ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
In 2025, the Symposium takes a bold step forward, zeroing in on West Africa—particularly Ghana and Nigeria—as priority partners in Trinidad and Tobago’s trade diversification strategy.
This Year Matters:
Recent developments signal a new era of trans-Atlantic collaboration:
A landmark Air Services Agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria, signed in April 2025, paves the way for greater connectivity and exchange. Bilateral discussions with Ghana signal similar agreements on the horizon. The newly elected Trinidad and Tobago Government has identified Africa as a strategic focus for trade and investment growth, aligning national policy with the longstanding objectives of this Symposium.
The 2025 edition of the Symposium is more than a discussion forum—it is a launchpad for high-impact business opportunities, investment exploration, and cross-continental partnerships. With delegates from government, private sector, and financial institutions across the Caribbean and Africa, this is your opportunity to engage with key decision-makers and access emerging markets with untapped potential.
Be Part of the Shift:
We invite you to contribute to shaping a new economic reality for our regions. Join us as we champion a future where trade is equitable, investment is strategic, and the historical bonds between Africa and the Caribbean evolve into sustainable economic bridges.
Let us work together to turn vision into action.
