As the global investment landscape shifts towards South-South cooperation, Aquarian Consult’s Africa and Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) is set to serve as a decisive bridge between the economic powers of Africa and the Caribbean.
The summit, scheduled to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 23 to 28 March 2026, is a strategic call to action for South African businesses, financial institutions and investment advisors to secure their place in the $40 trillion aggregate market.
AACIS’26 is designed to move beyond dialogue to high-speed agreement-making, building on the groundbreaking success of the first Summit in 2025, which promoted pioneering achievements such as the first direct flight between Africa and St. Kitts and Nevis and a $40 million port development agreement.
Why South Africa? Case of mutual expansion
Trade between Africa and the Caribbean currently accounts for less than 1% of the region’s total trade, while intra-African trade is 18%, so the untapped potential is staggering.
For South African companies. A pioneer in financial services, telecommunications and infrastructure, AACIS’26 provides a unique platform to export expertise while leveraging the Caribbean’s growing demand for food security and medical innovation. These are all areas we plan to address during the six-day summit.
“AACIS’26 is more than just a conference; it’s a curated and impactful ecosystem,” said Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult. “We are creating a formal transatlantic economic corridor where South Africa’s capital meets the opportunities of the Caribbean.”
Summit highlights and areas of focus
The 2026 program features a tripartite framework to ensure all participants find their niche.
Investor Deal Room: A dedicated space managed by investment promotion agencies to expedite viable deals.
Specialized sub-summits:
The Africa and Caribbean Agriculture and Food Security Summit (March 23-24) will build a platform to alleviate food security challenges in both regions through sustainable measures. The African and Caribbean Health Summit (March 26) will bring together leading figures in the health sector to take strategic steps to close gaps in health systems, find a way forward through common ground, and build better infrastructure in both regions. B2B and B2G Matchmaking: Structured sessions that directly connect South African CEOs with key figures in the Caribbean and Africa.
Key areas of collaboration
Event details
Date: March 25th to 28th, 2026 (side events start from March 23rd)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Expected Attendance: 2,000+ attendees including industry leaders.
South African investment advisors and business leaders are encouraged to register early to secure access to the Investor Deal Room and exclusive networking sessions.
Registration/Inquiries:
Visit www.aquarianconsult.com/AACIS
