The Caribbean Community is building a bridge between the Americas and the African continent

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Established in 1973, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has evolved from a regional trade bloc into a global player. Beyond coordinating economic policy among its 15 member states, the organization is now actively integrating with African institutions, aiming to become a formal seventh region of the African Union.

Founded by the Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM originally sought to foster economic cooperation among English-speaking Caribbean nations following the dissolution of the West Indies Federation. Today, it has expanded into a multilingual entity, incorporating Dutch, French, and Spanish influences. Its governance structure is uniquely decentralized, featuring a rotating chairmanship among heads of government and a quasi-cabinet system where leaders manage specific regional portfolios. The organization is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana, and maintains a Secretariat to handle foreign and community relations.

The bloc's ambition has grown significantly beyond its original mandate. In 2001, a revised treaty paved the way for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, which aims to harmonize business laws and facilitate the free movement of people. As of October 2025, four nations—Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—have implemented full freedom of movement for their citizens, a major step forward from the previous focus on skilled labor mobility.

Perhaps most striking is the organization's pivot toward Africa. Since the first summit in 2021, CARICOM has deepened ties with the African Union, including the establishment of an African Export-Import Bank office in Barbados. Plans are currently underway to potentially formalize the Caribbean as a seventh region of the African Union. This geopolitical alignment is complemented by efforts to harmonize legal standards and improve direct air connectivity, signaling a strategic shift to leverage historical and cultural ties for modern economic gain.

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