When I was a child, I remember images on TV of starving children from Africa crying, with flies pitching on their little faces. These images usually represent an impassioned plea from a humanitarian aid agency or a non-governmental organisation (NGO), encouraging people to donate money to stop starvation in Africa. These images of poverty, sorrow, and pain, however, left an indelible mark on my mind, with personal sentiments that I would never want to go to Africa! No matter those reggae songs, with calls and chants of ‘Back to Africa’, I was never moved; why would I want to go there?
Now, roughly 30 years later, my views have changed. For me, the expression ‘Back to Africa’ no longer represents a backward movement, but a forward one.
TRADE BARRIERS
Usually as Jamaicans, when we think of travel, or going ‘to foreign’ as we call it, the USA, Canada, and the UK come quickly to mind. A lot of our relatives reside in these countries, strong trading relationships exist between Jamaica and them, and for the most part, travel time is under 8 hours to get there. In the case of the USA, some persons are consumed with experiencing the American dream of opportunity, wealth and luxury; while others say they desire to migrate to drink milk, but not count cows; i.e. achieve a specific goal and return home right after
Today, however, markets that once were very accessible, namely those in the USA, are appearing harder to access and, in some instances, becoming restrictive. This is due to the introduction of new tariffs and trade barriers.
For instance, I visited the post office recently to send a package from Jamaica to the United States and was met with Executive Order (EO) 14324 by the United States. This EO suspends duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries and became effective in August 2025. Prior to this, the de minimis rule allowed packages under US$800 to enter the USA duty-free.
Additionally, for non-immigrant visa applications, the application fee for Jamaicans may now very well increase to US$435, versus the standard US$185, due to the inclusion of a US$250 integrity fee (as per President Trump’s new One Big Beautiful Bill in the USA, signed July 4, 2025). This integrity fee will be adjusted annually, which means that it may increase as time goes by and is highly unlikely to be waived. It is important to note, though, that the integrity fee becomes refundable once the applicant complies with the terms of their visa. Nonetheless, these fees and restrictions did not exist before and appear to be a reality that the Caribbean will need to face in these times.
THE AFRICAN MARKET
Of the twenty (20) fastest-growing economies in 2025, twelve (12) are from Africa. These include South Sudan, Libya, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, Niger, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Benin, among others, with real GDP growth rates ranging from 6% to 27.2% (visualcapitalist.com, 2025). It is interesting to see Guyana, as the only Caribbean country, included in this ranking. Their GDP growth rate is second after South Sudan at 14.4%.
Africa also has the youngest population globally, with approximately 60% of the population under the age of 25 years (africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk). Analysts believe that this statistic puts the continent in an advantageous position, especially as it relates to economic growth and development. By 2035, it is projected by the World Economic Forum that there will be more young Africans entering the workforce than the rest of the world combined (weforum.org/stories/2023/08).
Just over 1 billion persons currently reside in Africa, and this number is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. According to the African Development Bank 2025, ‘a rapidly growing population, increased urbanization, and what is soon-to-be the world’s largest workforce, Africa has an opportunity to transform into a global economic powerhouse.’ (afdb.org/en/knowledge/publications/tracking-africa)
These figures are something for the curious mind to ponder. Is this a market to be considered for trade? By Jamaica? The Caribbean? And the Diaspora?
AFRICA AND ME
My views of Africa started to change while studying in Japan in 2008. Some of my classmates and colleagues were Africans – studying in Japan, just like me. When I met them and saw their level of boldness, intellect, and strong sense of identity, it made me realise that Africa was more than a place of war, poverty, and disease; it was also the home of a highly civilised people. Yes, poverty was there, but so were wealth, economic empowerment, and social advancement. I remember my Nigerian colleague in Japan, showing me pictures of immense buildings and roads in his country, bowling me over for six.
So, I call this experience in Japan my first clarification of Africa, but I was still yet to visit the continent.
Join me as I unpack my sojourn to Accra, Ghana, from different angles: historical, spiritual, academic and economic perspectives. This particular trip was enlightening and has simply changed my life forever. Walk with me, as I share my own experience.
‘Back to Africa’ is no longer a backward step but a forward one.
Chuuwod is a Jamaican geo-scientist who has travelled across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
