Two days that felt like two decades of progress.

The African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS 2025) concluded yesterday, 22 November, and the feeling across the diaspora today is unanimous: something historic just happened in London.

As Deputy Chair under the outstanding leadership of Chairman David Roberts, I am proud to have helped deliver a summit that was never about speeches alone — it was about signatures.

The Numbers Tell the Story

• Delegates from Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe

•  Distinguished voices including Zambia’s High Commissioner H.E. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka, Caribbean Export’s Dr Damie Sinanan, CARICOM Chief Economist Dr Lavern McFarlane, and many more.

•  USD 130 million in bankable projects presented

•  Multiple MoUs and diligence processes launched on the spot

As Dr Sinanan said, “When you bring business persons together, the magic happens.”

At ACSIS 2025, the magic happened — live and in real time.

My Presentation: Continuing the Work of the Ancestors

On Day Two I took the stage with one simple promise: no repetition, no fluff, just action.

I began by thanking Chairman David Roberts publicly for the trust he placed in me as his Deputy — an honour I carry with deep gratitude.

Then I reminded everyone of the dream that brought us all into that room:

Marcus Garvey dreamt it in Jamaica.

Kwame Nkrumah built it in Ghana.

And now, in 2025, it is our generation’s turn to finish it.

I spoke the line that has now echoed far beyond the hall:

“The coming together of Africa and the Caribbean is intimidating to some — but elevating to the rest.”

The room rose as one.

I positioned Ghana as the natural gateway to the continent and celebrated the Caribbean as the diaspora’s undisputed innovation engine. I highlighted the sectors that are ripe today — renewable energy, agro-processing and blue economy, fintech and creative industries — and challenged everyone present: “Who is ready to turn talk into transactions before we leave this building?”

The response was immediate. Business cards flew. Conversations started that will become companies, jobs, and legacies.

The Deal Room — Where Dreams Became Deals

Brilliantly orchestrated by Oliver Scheidt, the ACSIS Deal Room saw USD 130 million in opportunities across energy, agrifood chains, logistics, tourism, and digital infrastructure move from pitch to pipeline. Rwanda and Namibia showcased national projects. Caribbean and African promoters left with scheduled term-sheet discussions.

Walking through that room as Deputy Chair, I felt Garvey and Nkrumah smiling down on us. Their vision of a united, prosperous diaspora stopped being a dream and became a balance sheet.

Gratitude

To Chairman David Roberts — thank you for your vision and leadership.

To AFREXIMBANK, the CARICOM Development Fund, and every sponsor, speaker, High Commission, investor, and volunteer — you made history.

To every delegate who crossed oceans to be present — you are the movement.

The Road Ahead

ACSIS is not staying in London.

In 2026 we take the Deal Room, the energy, and the momentum on the road — starting in the Caribbean, then Atlanta, Toronto, and every major diaspora hub.

Marcus Garvey dreamt it.

Kwame Nkrumah built it.

We are finishing it — together.

The bridge is rising.

Derrick Cobbinah

Deputy Chair, ACSIS

President, Ghana Jamaica Chamber of Commerce