Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey presented a resolution in Parliament on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 for approval for the development of an integrated Afro-Caribbean Marketplace and Logistics Centre on Grand Bahama and noted its potential to unlock game-changing opportunities.
The resolution seeks the approval for the Government to enter into a guarantee agreement with African Export-Import Bank for $1.86 million for the centre, which will serve as a catalyst for regional economic integration, cultural promotion, infrastructure development and sustainable growth, benefitting not just Grand Bahama and The Bahamas, but the region.
“The overarching theme of this project is to boost trade, investment and connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean. This resolution, I believe, holds the key to unlocking game-changing opportunities for the island I love so much,” Minister Moxey said.
The resolution is proposed to cause a disciplined, preparation stage designed to engineer bankability, reduce implementation stage sovereign exposure, crowding private capital and enable structured trade corridor developments.
Minister Moxey pointed out that establishing of the Afro-Caribbean Marketplace and Logistics Centre is the Government’s answer to ensuring Grand Bahama harnesses the power of the maritime industry while aligning tourism industry and the island’s positioning as the industrial capital of The Bahamas.
With a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Afreximbank in June 2023 for the development of an international trading marketplace and a Project Preparation Facility signed in 2024 in the amount of $1.86 million to commence work, the process of acquiring of the International Bazaar and Royal Oasis Resort began.
“We knew that this process could be the only way to remedy a blight in the city, creating something special while revitalizing the area,” she said.
When completed, Minister Moxey said, the project is expected to transform Grand Bahama into a major trade and cultural hub, enhance the strategic position of The Bahamas in the global maritime network, foster economic growth, create jobs and strengthen ties between Africa and Caribbean nations.
“The marketplace will boost SME growth and foster cultural exchange, thereby contributing to the overall economic development of The Bahamas, particularly in the blue and orange economies,” she said.
Minister Moxey revealed that ultimately the endeavor of the marketplace is to create highly sought-after culturally-immersive experience blending African, Caribbean and Bahamian flavours for the world to embrace while creating a powerful platform for the distribution of authentic Bahamian, Caribbean and African products.
