In a remarkable stride for Africa–Caribbean relations, Nigerian entrepreneur Aisha Maina has secured a USD 40 million investment backed by Afreximbank to develop a deep-water port in St Kitts. The project, which promises to reshape trade routes and unlock new opportunities for African exporters, marks a major milestone in South–South cooperation.
Maina, who serves as Managing Director of Aquarian Consult and founder of Gemini Integrated Commodities, is not only leading the port initiative but also spearheading a Caribbean trade mission across Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad. Her goal is clear: to create a reliable commercial bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, with tangible benefits for both regions.
A Port That Means Business
The new port, located in Basseterre, will feature a Panamax-capable berth and anchor a 10-square-kilometre special economic zone focused on agro-processing, light assembly and bonded warehousing. Feasibility studies are scheduled to begin in August 2025, with financial close expected by the first quarter of 2026. The first container is projected to arrive by late 2028.
For Saint Kitts & Nevis, a nation of fewer than 60,000 people, the port positions the island as a strategic logistics hub connecting 19 African and 12 Caribbean Commonwealth members. For exporters in West Africa, it offers a direct route—cutting sailing times to just seven days and bypassing costly European detours.
“This port moves us from promise to throughput, from talk to tonnage,” Maina said during the signing ceremony in Grenada. “Africa and the Caribbean need assets, not just aspirations.”
One Week, Three Strategic Touchpoints
Maina’s trade mission unfolded over a week of high-level engagements:
Duggins remarked, “Facility after facility, deal after deal, we are not just talking transformation; we are delivering it.”
Project Snapshot
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial finance | USD 40 million |
| Berth capacity | One Panamax berth, expandable to two |
| Construction jobs | 600 direct positions |
| Follow-on investment | USD 300 million projected |
| Studies launch | August 2025 |
| Financial close | Q1 2026 |
| First container | Q4 2028 |
Why It Matters
- Shorter transit times: Direct sailings reduce freight costs and eliminate European detours.
- Value-addition hub: African raw materials can be processed closer to North American markets.
- Commonwealth relevance: A small island nation becomes a key maritime link for 31 member states.
- Private-sector leadership: Gemini Integrated Commodities co-invests with Afreximbank, placing responsibility on those driving execution.
A Journey That Started in Abuja
This initiative builds on momentum from the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit held in Abuja in March, followed by a June charter flight that brought 120 Nigerian entrepreneurs and policymakers to Basseterre. The recent engagements in Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad now form a unified roadmap for infrastructure and trade.
About Aquarian Consult
Aquarian Consult is a Nigeria-based advisory and investment firm focused on trade facilitation, human-capital development and infrastructure. Through Gemini Integrated Commodities, it designs and delivers projects that connect African markets to global value chains, with a strong emphasis on Africa–Caribbean integration.
As Aisha Maina’s vision takes shape, the message is clear: Africa and the Caribbean are not just talking about partnership—they are building it, one container at a time.
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