St. Kitts and Nevis offers to lead push for direct Africa-Caribbean air link

Prime Minister Terrance Drew has announced that Saint Kitts and Nevis is prepared to lead efforts to establish direct air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, using innovative financing mechanisms to make the long-discussed link a reality.

Speaking during closing remarks at the Afri‑Caribbean Investment Summit in Abuja on March 28, 2026, Drew underscored the urgency of removing longstanding travel barriers that continue to hinder trade, investment, and collaboration between the two regions.

Challenging existing travel routes, Drew questioned why travelers must often transit through North America or Europe to move between Africa and the Caribbean.

“Why is it we have to go north to come south?” he asked, highlighting both inefficiencies and the inconvenience faced by travelers. He also pointed to the practicality of direct routes, noting that flight times between Saint Kitts and Africa are comparable to those between Saint Kitts and England.

Drawing on the federation’s aviation development experience, Drew said Saint Kitts and Nevis has historically used Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG) arrangements to attract international airlines and stimulate new routes. Under such agreements, governments help offset potential losses for airlines during the early stages of a new service.

“When we are starting flights, we have something called an MRG… an MRG is set up so that the airline is guaranteed that it would not lose money,” Drew explained. “If it requires an MRG, I am putting a stake in the ground that Saint Kitts and Nevis would move first to have it done.”

The prime minister said improved connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean could unlock major opportunities across tourism, trade, investment, and cultural exchange, while also strengthening people-to-people ties rooted in shared history and heritage.

Drew concluded by urging governments, investors, and private-sector stakeholders to collaborate in making direct Africa-Caribbean air travel a near-term reality, positioning Saint Kitts and Nevis as a potential leader in advancing regional connectivity.