“They love the food, but it’s deeper than taste,” says the 29-year-old Nigerian doctor. “Many people here feel a connection to Africa. They see it as part of their ancestral identity.”
Ogbo’s success story is one piece of a wider cultural renaissance. Across the Caribbean, people are increasingly embracing their African heritage through cuisine, fashion, music, and travel, while governments and institutions seek to strengthen political and economic ties with Africa.
Historical Roots of Caribbean–African Connection
The Caribbean’s African identity runs deep. A significant portion of the population descends from enslaved West and Central Africans, forcibly transported across the Atlantic during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Slavery’s abolition in the 1800s and independence from European colonial powers in the 20th century paved the way for uniquely Caribbean cultures, though African influences have always remained central.
 |
| Dorbrene O’Marde |
A New Phase of Pan-Africanism
O’Marde describes today’s revival of African pride as “a phase that won’t wane like before.” Unlike earlier movements that were largely psychological or cultural, he notes that current efforts include concrete discussions around trade, transport links, and tourism between Africa and the Caribbean.
One driver of this fresh wave is social media, which has amplified access to African culture for younger generations.
In Jamaica, Dennis Howard, lecturer in cultural enterprise at the University of the West Indies, observes how platforms like TikTok are helping people “learn more about black history beyond slavery” while simultaneously engaging with contemporary African music and fashion.
Afrobeats as a Cultural Bridge
The explosive global rise of Afrobeats, led by Nigerian and Ghanaian artists, has struck a chord in the Caribbean. For Jamaicans in particular, Howard argues that the music has redefined perceptions of Africa.
“Through the videos, people are seeing parts of Africa that are modern and relatable,” he says. “There used to be a stereotype of Africa as backward and poor. Now music shows its vibrancy – and that resonates.”
Some Jamaicans online argue their island heritage stands on its own without needing to reclaim African roots. But Howard sees no contradiction: “Our whole culture is African at its core – with a little Indian, European, and Chinese influence. Africa remains the most dominant foundation.”
From Cultural Consumption to First-Hand Experience
This renewed pride is not limited to cultural consumption. More Caribbean people are booking flights to Africa to explore ancestral homelands firsthand.
Ghana, once a major departure point during the transatlantic slave trade, has seen a “notable increase” in tourists arriving from Caribbean nations in recent years, according to its tourism authority.
For many, the journey is more than leisure—it is a pilgrimage of identity. As Ogbo reflects from his St Lucian kitchen: “It’s about food, but also about memory. People want to feel that connection. They want to see where it all began.”
What began as cultural rediscovery through food, music, and fashion is increasingly expanding into tourism, trade, and diplomacy as Africa and the Caribbean strengthen bonds rooted in shared history.
From safaris in South Africa to economic partnerships brokered by African institutions, the rekindled ties reflect a growing wave of pan-Africanism that blends pride with practical cooperation.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (second from the right) wore a Nigeria-inspired outfit when she met African dignitaries on Emancipation Day
The cultural ties are strong but new trends on social media, as well as African musicians going global, have excited a new generation
Trinidad and Tobago pays tribute to the nation's Afro-descendant community on Emancipation Day, which marks the ending of slavery throughout the British Empire
Growing Interest in African Travel
In the Bahamas, South Africa’s consul, Werner Gruner, says his office has noticed a marked increase in local residents travelling to South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya in recent years.
“I see a lot of interest in safaris,” he explains. “People also start to realise that South Africa and other African countries are actually very well developed.”
Even countries less known for tourism are drawing curiosity. In Antigua, pan-African advocate Dorbrene O’Marde notes that some citizens are eager to visit Burkina Faso, inspired by the pro-African stance of its young leader, Ibrahim Traoré.
The challenge, however, remains accessibility. Many Caribbean travellers must route flights through Europe before reaching African destinations – a costly and time-consuming hurdle.
Calls for Direct “Air and Sea Bridges”
Recognising this barrier, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has called for the construction of direct air and sea connections between Africa and the Caribbean.
“Let us make these changes, not just for heads of state, but for ordinary people who wish to trade, travel, and forge a shared future,” she urged in a recent speech, describing herself as a “daughter of Africa.”
Such infrastructure, leaders argue, would not only reduce the travel gap but also pave the way for deeper trade integration between the two regions.
Trade Potential and Economic Cooperation
Institutions including the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are already laying groundwork for stronger commercial ties.
According to Afreximbank, trade between Africa and the Caribbean, currently valued at about $730 million, could more than double to $1.8 billion by 2028, provided transport and regulatory frameworks are improved.
Yet challenges remain. The World Bank ranks both regions among the lowest globally for logistics efficiency, transport infrastructure, and customs performance—barriers that continue to hinder cross-Atlantic commerce.
Radical Proposals: A Shared Currency
To address these obstacles, Caribbean leaders have floated ambitious ideas. At an Afreximbank meeting in Nigeria earlier this year, Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis urged serious consideration of a digital common currency for Africa and the Caribbean.
Similarly, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell argued that such a move would “symbolically and practically affirm our shared identity not just as trading partners, but as members of a truly global Africa.”
While coordinating more than 60 countries on a single currency may be daunting, Mitchell insisted it was essential if both regions are to “take control of [their] own future.”
Dr Augustine Ogbo
Cultural Exchange at the Grassroots
Back in St Lucia, Dr. Augustine Ogbo contributes to this renewed bond in his own way. The Nigerian-born doctor and entrepreneur runs Africana Chops, a thriving takeaway that introduces St Lucians to dishes such as egusi, fufu, and jollof rice.
Ogbo views his culinary venture as a small but meaningful part of strengthening Africa–Caribbean relations. In June, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu signed new cooperation agreements with St Lucia, and Ogbo says his restaurant complements that diplomatic effort.
“I can say I’m working hand-in-hand with the Nigerian government and even the St Lucian government to promote the African culture,” he reflects.
Now preparing to expand Africana Chops into a full restaurant, Ogbo is optimistic: “It’s awesome! I’m really, really excited about that. This cultural exchange is only going to grow stronger.”