USVI–Africa Mini Summit Strengthens Economic and Cultural Links

Government and business leaders from the Virgin Islands, Ghana, and other African nations convened Tuesday for the USVI–Africa Mini Summit, an event speakers described as the start of deeper economic, cultural, and technological partnerships aimed at strengthening ties between the territory and Africa.

The gathering was organized by the Government of the Virgin Islands with support from the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and its Enterprise Zone Commission, along with partner agencies including VI Next Generation Network (viNGN) and local tourism offices. The event was held under the theme “Building Bridges: Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties Between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Africa.”

“This is an awakening,” Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. told attendees, describing the summit as an effort to “create, once again, the Middle Passage — but in a different way,” by building connections between the U.S. Virgin Islands, Africa, and the wider African diaspora.

Bryan urged residents to view the summit as part of a broader shift in how the territory defines itself, rejecting the notion that Virgin Islanders “come from Denmark” and emphasizing the islands’ African roots. He said the government is seeking to harness new partnerships in trade, tourism, finance, and technology to “grow, not just be left alone,” in a changing global economy.