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Guyana – US Pushes To Lead Guyana’s Energy Future As Country’s Aging Ferry Fleet Turns Deadly

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By NAN Business Editor, NewsAmericas Now

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Thurs, July 23, 2026: The United States is positioning American companies to dominate Guyana’s energy and infrastructure sectors as the South American nation’s oil-fueled economy continues its rapid expansion, according to a State Department readout of a US-Guyana investment forum held last Thursday in Washington – a push that lands even as ordinary Guyanese confront the human cost of decades of underinvestment closer to home.

Just two days after the forum wrapped, the 87-year-old ferry MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s coast. The confirmed death toll has since risen to 65, with 76 rescued out of the 179 people the government says were aboard, leaving roughly 38 people still unaccounted for as search and recovery operations continue. Of the bodies recovered, 44 have been positively identified by relatives, and 23 have been released to their families for funeral rites and burial. The government has deployed 19 vessels and three aircraft to the search, and technical teams are now assessing how to right the capsized vessel, plan to use marine salvage airbags to restore its buoyancy before towing it closer to shore so recovery operations can continue under safer conditions.

A ferry carrying 179 passengers capsized off the coast of Guyana with authorities saying 76 people had been rescued so far, with 63 confirmed dead, in Guyana, on July 19, 2026. (Photo by Guyana Prime Minister’s Office / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)

The disaster has renewed scrutiny of a domestic transportation system that has been patched rather than modernized for years, even as billions in oil revenue have flowed through the country and Washington courts American businesses to lead its energy and infrastructure future. The juxtaposition has been hard for many Guyanese to ignore this week: a government being asked to open its most valuable sector further to foreign capital, while the vessels its own citizens depend on to reach hinterland and Indigenous communities remain decades old.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau addressed the US-Guyana Investment Enabling Forum, co-hosted with the Business Council for International Understanding at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, bringing together senior US and Guyanese officials alongside private-sector leaders. According to the State Department’s media note, the forum focused on strengthening investor confidence and expanding US commercial engagement in Guyana’s business environment, energy sector and infrastructure.

The State Department described commercial diplomacy as “a core element of American foreign policy,” stating that “the United States is committed to ensuring that where American companies invest, the U.S. Government stands behind them,” including cutting red tape and expanding access to financing. The department said Washington is “positioning American businesses to lead in energy, infrastructure, and other sectors central to” Guyana’s growth.

Part of a months-long push

Thursday’s forum builds on a series of high-level engagements between Washington and Georgetown dating back at least to early June, when Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud met in Washington with Landau, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Joseph Humire. Those talks covered energy security, border security cooperation, irregular migration, and combating illicit trafficking, alongside the commercial agenda.

In each of these engagements, US officials have paired the investment push with public reaffirmations of Guyana’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity” – language that has taken on added significance given Guyana’s long-running border dispute with Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region.

Why it matters

The push for a larger American commercial footprint in Guyana’s energy sector comes as questions have already emerged over how the country’s oil wealth is being tracked. NewsAmericasNow previously reported on a $6.7 billion discrepancy between the Bank of Guyana’s reported oil revenue and the amount ExxonMobil says it has recovered from its cost bank – a gap that, applied to Guyana’s current 14.5% revenue share, could represent close to $1 billion the country may never have received.

With Guyana holding one of the fastest-growing oil economies in the world and a population of fewer than one million people, the scale of foreign investment now being actively courted – and which companies end up leading the sectors that will define the country’s economic future – carries outsized weight for ordinary Guyanese. The MV Barima disaster is a stark reminder of what that weight looks like on the ground: a nation courting billions in foreign energy investment while a domestic ferry system serving its most remote communities has gone without a purpose-built replacement for decades. Prime Minister Phillips said this week that the government will finance funeral and burial expenses and provide immediate assistance to affected families, while any decision on compensation will wait for the findings of an independent Commission of Inquiry. “The focus now is not on compensation,” Phillips said. “The focus is on recovering bodies, financing the burial and funeral rites, and providing whatever assistance the families need now.”

NewsAmericasNow will continue tracking US-Guyana engagement as the investment relationship develops.

RELATED: Guyana: The MV Barima Tragedy Puts The Spotlight On A Decades-Old Issue – An Aging Ferry Fleet

French Guiana is about to get its first direct digital link to Europe

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NEWS Americas, DUBLIN, Ireland, July 15, 2026: EllaLink and Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) hosted a delegation from SPLANG, the Government of Maranhão (Brazil) and the international financial institutions of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) across two of ASN’s facilities: the Les Ulis headquarters, for technology demonstrations; and the Calais factory, to witness the loading of the Lum@link cable onto the cable ship. The CS Île d’Yeu has now set sail for Cayenne, French Guiana, to begin the installation campaign that will be completed over the summer, with the Lum@link system on track to be ready for service by the end of 2026.

This marks a critical milestone in the creation of the first direct submarine connection between French Guiana and continental Europe. The 2,100 km extension will connect the new cable landing station of Cayenne to the existing EllaLink trunk system off the coast of Fortaleza, establishing direct optical connections from Cayenne to Sines (Portugal) and Fortaleza (Brazil).

The delegation was joined by Leandro da Silva Costa, President of the State Information Technology Agency, and Anderson da Silva Serra, Director of Technological Infrastructure and Connectivity from ATI/MA, representing the Government of the State of Maranhão, Brazil. They witnessed the loading of the two branching units that will enable future connectivity to the north of Brazil, one serving São Luís (Maranhão) and one serving Salinópolis (Pará).

Lum@link is designed to open the way for direct links between Cayenne, Fortaleza and the northern Brazilian states, including Maranhão (São Luís) and Pará (Salinópolis), reinforcing French Guiana’s role as a crossroads between the Caribbean, Brazil and Europe. For both SPLANG and the State of Maranhão, the visit confirmed that EllaLink will equip the region with critical infrastructure that is essential to its economy.

The SPLANG, AFD, IDB, Government of Maranhão delegations with EllaLink during the visit to ASN facilities in Les Ulis

The European Commission supports the project with a €29.9 million grant from the CEF Digital programme, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). The Lum@link system is also backed by an investment from the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG) and financial support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

For the future Brazilian branches, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and AFD are providing financing to the states of Pará and Maranhão.

Marie-Lucienne Rattier, President of SPLANG, next to a repeater that will be part of the Lum@link system and ready to ship to Cayenne, French Guiana.

Marie-Lucienne Rattier, President of SPLANG, said: “To see the Lum@link cable loaded and on its way to Cayenne is a deeply significant moment for French Guiana. With the lay now under way and the system on track to enter service by the end of 2026, we are securing our international connectivity for the long term, ensuring our digital sovereignty and catalysing the economic and social development of our territory.”

Philippe Dumont, CEO at EllaLink, added: “Watching the Lum@link cable being loaded in Calais and the Île d’Yeu setting sail for Cayenne to begin the lay is a proud moment for the entire EllaLink team. After years of planning, engineering and construction, marine installation is now under way. We expect to complete the lay over the summer, and the system is on track to be ready for service by the end of 2026, delivering a direct, sovereign route between French Guiana, Brazil and continental Europe. We are honoured to share this milestone with SPLANG, the Government of Maranhão and the partners who have made it possible.”

About SPLANG

The Société Publique Locale pour l’Aménagement Numérique de la Guyane (SPLANG) (local public company for the digital development of French Guiana) is owned by the CTG (Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane) and other local authorities and municipalities of French Guiana. It is the local authorities’ operational arm for the digital development of French Guiana. Created in 2014, SPLANG promotes the deployment of infrastructure operated by its shareholders (such as the fibre network and the satellite network in French Guiana). SPLANG is involved in financing its own infrastructure such as satellite relays, FTTO networks or international connectivity, supports and coordinates the development of digital uses, and acts as a public service operator in situations where private initiative is lacking.

For more information, visit: https://www.splang.fr/

About EllaLink

EllaLink is an optic fibre submarine cable system offering secure high-capacity connectivity on a unique low-latency transatlantic route serving the growing needs of the Latin American and European markets. The EllaLink network directly connects Brazil and Europe, linking the major hubs of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza with Lisbon, Madrid and Marseille. The EllaLink System has been built with state-of-the-art coherent technology, initially offering 100Tbps of transatlantic capacity over four direct fibre pairs between Europe and Brazil. EllaLink is a privately funded and independent company committed to providing products and services on a Carrier-Neutral and Open-Access basis. Marguerite, a pan-European infrastructure investor active in the renewables, energy, transport and digital transformation sectors, is the main shareholder of EllaLink.

For more information, visit: https://ella.link

RELATED: Guyana Oil Revenue In 2025 Was A Drop In The Bucket

For Women in Science 2026 Call for Applications Opens, Offering Two $15,000 Awards to Caribbean Women Researchers

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News Americas, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 08, 2026: L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean announce the opening of the 2026 call for applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, an initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding women researchers from the region by awarding two $15,000 USD grants to advance the development of their scientific research.

The call for applications will be open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, and is intended for women scientists from the Caribbean who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career within the program’s eligible STEM disciplines.

The program is part of the renowned global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, created to promote women’s participation in scientific research and help reduce the gender gaps that continue to persist in STEM fields. In the Caribbean, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” said Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe.

Eligible candidates must conduct research in areas such as formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences. The awards seek to provide financial support and recognition to women who contribute to scientific advancement across different fields of knowledge and whose research helps drive solutions to some of the main challenges facing the region.

“UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” said Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO.

In its 2025 edition, the program recognized Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan for research addressing important health and environmental challenges. Dr. Fisher conducts research on genetic factors associated with liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan studies the presence of bacterial diseases in water systems serving vulnerable communities. Their research highlights the impact of Caribbean women scientists in generating knowledge and solutions for the region.

Globally, women continue to face significant challenges in the scientific field. According to UNESCO data, women represent approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. Although Latin America and the Caribbean have a higher representation of women in science than the global average, significant challenges remain regarding access to funding, visibility, and leadership opportunities in scientific research.

Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the For Women in Science application platform https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 . The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.

About L’Oréal Caribe

L’Oréal is recognized as the world’s leading beauty company, with a broad portfolio of brands distributed across four main divisions: Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and Dermatological Beauty. From its offices in Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands, with the mission to create the beauty that moves the world: beauty that is inclusive, ethical, generous, and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With a portfolio of 31 international brands and ambitious sustainability goals under our L’Oréal for the Future program, we strive to offer everyone, everywhere, the best in quality, efficacy, safety, transparency, and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in all its infinite forms.

For more information, visit L’Oréal Caribe’s official website: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/

Energy Crisis – Why Is The Caribbean Still Importing Energy?

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By News Americas Business Editor

News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Weds. June 24, 2026: As global energy markets face renewed disruption and oil prices remain volatile, Caribbean nations are once again confronting a familiar challenge: dependence on imported energy.

From Barbados to Jamaica and across the wider CARICOM region, rising fuel costs continue to pressure consumers, businesses and governments. Recent tensions in the Middle East have highlighted just how vulnerable small island economies remain to events occurring thousands of miles away. Barbados Energy Minister Kerrie Symmonds recently warned that small island developing states are “feeling the pinch” of the latest energy crisis, noting that governments are struggling to balance rising energy costs with the need to contain inflation and protect consumers.

Yet, beyond the immediate crisis lies a larger question: Why is a region rich in solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and ocean energy resources still so dependent on imported fossil fuels?

The Caribbean’s renewable energy potential is significant. CARICOM has established a regional target of generating 47 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027. The World Bank is supporting projects aimed at expanding solar adoption and energy efficiency, while the African Export-Import Bank has expanded its CARICOM financing mandate to $5 billion, including support for renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

The challenge is not a lack of resources. The challenge is execution. Unlike many larger economies, Caribbean nations must balance energy security, affordability and climate resilience simultaneously. Transitioning too quickly away from traditional fuels could create reliability concerns. Moving too slowly leaves the region exposed to repeated price shocks and supply disruptions.

For that reason, energy experts increasingly argue that the future is not an all-or-nothing choice between fossil fuels and renewables. Instead, the region may need a diversified energy strategy.

Barbados is pursuing one of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy agendas while continuing to explore domestic energy resources. Dominica is investing heavily in geothermal energy that could eventually reduce its dependence on imported diesel. Guyana and Suriname are emerging as major energy producers, while Trinidad and Tobago remains one of the Caribbean’s most important natural gas suppliers.

Together, these resources could form the foundation of a more resilient regional energy architecture. The deals already being signed across the region show what that diversified architecture could look like in practice. In Dominica, a 10 MW geothermal project reached financial close in September 2025 through a blended financing package arranged by the Caribbean Development Bank, with concessional capital from the Green Climate Fund helping clear bankability hurdles that had stalled Caribbean geothermal for years. Developed by a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, the plant is expected to supply most of Dominica’s baseload demand once operational.

In The Bahamas, Renugen Pro Limited is advancing more than $40 million in hybrid energy projects across Cat Island, Long Island, and San Salvador – combining solar, battery storage, and natural gas under long-term power purchase agreements signed directly with the government. And in a sign of how seriously multinational energy companies are now treating the region, TotalEnergies expanded its partnership with AES across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, acquiring a 50 percent stake in a combined 1.5 gigawatt portfolio of solar, wind and battery storage assets — one of the largest renewable energy commitments any global power company has made in the Caribbean to date.

Jamaica offers perhaps the clearest evidence that the economics already favor renewables. Recent power purchase agreements there have reached the US$0.09 per kilowatt-hour range for solar and US$0.12 for wind – both well below the cost of imported diesel generation – with prices expected to keep falling as more projects come online.

Yet even with these long-term contracts in place, the region’s overall numbers remain stark. According to the 2023 Energy Report Card for CARICOM member states, the region’s total installed capacity stands at roughly 5,777 megawatts – but only about 761 megawatts, or 13 percent, comes from renewable sources. Conventional fossil fuel generation still outweighs renewable capacity by nearly 74 percent across the bloc.

The model may be closer to the United Arab Emirates than many realize. The UAE did not abandon fossil fuels overnight. Instead, it used energy revenues to finance infrastructure, logistics, tourism, technology, and renewable energy investments. Caribbean energy producers now face a similar opportunity: use today’s oil and gas revenues to build tomorrow’s energy system.

The economics are increasingly compelling. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has noted, “There are no price spikes for sunlight and no embargoes on the wind.”

Once renewable infrastructure is built, operating costs are generally lower and more predictable than imported fossil fuels. Solar, wind, battery storage and geothermal projects can reduce long-term exposure to geopolitical events while strengthening national energy security. The remaining obstacle is capital.

Renewable energy projects often require substantial upfront investment even though they generate savings over time. For many Caribbean governments, utilities and private developers, access to affordable financing remains one of the biggest barriers to accelerating the energy transition.

That financing gap is also creating opportunity. As governments and businesses seek to reduce energy costs, improve resilience and meet climate targets, demand for renewable energy financing is expected to increase significantly across the Caribbean in the years ahead.

The region may never be powered entirely by renewable energy. It does not need to be. The larger opportunity is to become far less vulnerable to the next global energy crisis than it is today. Every major energy shock reminds the Caribbean of its dependence. The question is whether this crisis will finally become the catalyst for a more diversified, resilient and energy-secure future.

The Rocky Mountain Institute estimates the region will need roughly US$11 billion in investment by 2030 to meet its renewable targets – a figure that underscores why individual long-term contracts, however significant, remain pieces of a much larger financing puzzle rather than evidence the puzzle is solved.

Renewable Energy Financing

Developing a renewable energy project in the Caribbean? AI Capital Exchange helps project developers, utilities, infrastructure sponsors and businesses pre-qualify for solar, wind, battery storage, waste-to-energy and other renewable energy financing opportunities through its global lender network. To explore financing options, visit AI Capital Exchange and get pre-qualified today.

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87 Percent Unmet: The Hidden Financing Crisis Strangling Business Growth Across Latin America and the Caribbean

Why Caribbean and Latin American Hotel and Commercial Property Owners Should Be Refinancing Now

Why Caribbean and Latin American Hotel and Commercial Property Owners Should Be Refinancing Now

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By News Americas Business Editor

News Americas, MIAMI, FL, June 12, 2026: For hotel owners, resort developers, and commercial property operators across the Caribbean and Latin America, a costly window is closing – and most are not moving fast enough to take advantage of it. The global commercial real estate market is navigating what industry analysts are calling the 2026 debt maturity crunch. The question now is refinancing or not?

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, approximately $875 billion in commercial real estate loans – representing 17 percent of all outstanding commercial mortgages – are scheduled to mature in 2026. Some industry estimates put the figure closer to $1 trillion when accounting for loans extended from 2024 and 2025 now crowding into this year’s refinancing window.

For the hospitality sector specifically, the pressure is acute. Hotel mortgage spreads have widened to 375 basis points over comparable treasuries as of Q4 2025, according to PwC’s US Hospitality Directions report – compared to just 225 to 250 basis points for multifamily and industrial assets. That gap represents a hospitality-specific premium that is testing refinancing strategies across the sector globally, including across Caribbean and Latin American markets.

The rate shock compounds the challenge. The average interest rate on commercial real estate loans being originated today runs approximately 6.24 percent, compared to 4.76 percent on older debt now coming due – a spread of 150 basis points or more, according to Banyan Commercial Capital. For a Caribbean hotel or resort carrying $10 million in older debt, that difference represents hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional annual debt service if the refinancing window is missed.

“Owners who wait until the last minute may find themselves with far fewer options,” warned a 2025 analysis by InvestingInCRE. “Start the refinancing process nine to 12 months before maturity. Lenders are overwhelmed with applications. Waiting until 90 days out is a mistake.”

For Caribbean and Latin American property owners, the calculus is more complex – and the opportunity is greater for those who move early.

Unlike U.S.-based borrowers who can access conventional bank refinancing channels, Caribbean and Latin American hotel and commercial property owners frequently face a documentation mismatch that disqualifies them from traditional lenders – despite owning significant equity in their assets. A resort developer in the Dominican Republic who purchased beachfront land in cash, or a commercial property owner in Kingston or Panama City carrying older high-rate debt, may have exactly the profile institutional lenders are seeking — but no clear path to reaching them.

Permanent financing for hospitality assets starts at $1 million with leverage up to 75 percent and amortizations up to 30 years, according to Commercial Real Estate Loans — with options spanning CMBS, life company loans, bank loans, and small balance instruments depending on the property profile and borrower’s financial position.

That gap between qualified Caribbean and Latin American borrowers and available institutional capital is precisely what AI Capital Exchange was built to close. The Miami-based platform, powered by Invest Caribbean, uses AI-driven pre-qualification to screen hotel and commercial property owners against real institutional lender criteria — identifying refinancing opportunities in under 30 minutes and connecting qualified borrowers directly to matched lending partners.

“The borrowers who benefit most from refinancing are the ones who come to the table before they have to,” said Felicia J. Persaud, Founder and CEO of AI Capital Exchange. “When you have equity in place, clean financials, and time on your side, lenders compete for your business. When you’re in distress, you take whatever rate is offered.”

For Caribbean and Latin American hotel and resort operators, the message from the data is unambiguous: the refinancing window is open, institutional appetite for hospitality assets with strong equity positions is real, and the cost of waiting is rising every month.

The 2026 maturity wall will not wait.

To explore refinancing options for your hotel or commercial property, visit: https://www.investcaribbeannow.com/ai-capital-exchange/caribbean-loans

RELATED: Caribbean Real Estate Is A $1.87 Trillion Market – So Why Are Caribbean Developers Still Getting Rejected For Funding?

87 Percent Unmet: The Hidden Financing Crisis Strangling Business Growth Across Latin America and the Caribbean

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By News Americas Now Business Editor

News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Thurs. June 10, 2026: The numbers are staggering – and largely invisible to the businesses living inside them. It’s a Financing Crisis. The International Finance Corporation estimates that 87 percent of small and medium enterprise financing needs in Latin America and the Caribbean go unmet, according to a September 2025 report by the ICR Facility on access to finance in the Caribbean. In absolute terms, the Inter-American Development Bank has estimated the financing gap for small and medium enterprises in the region at between $210 billion and $250 billion.

Globally, the picture is no less alarming. According to the IFC and the SME Finance Forum, there is currently a $5.7 trillion financing gap for micro, small, and medium enterprises worldwide – concentrated primarily in emerging markets and developing economies.

“MSMEs make up over 90 percent of all firms and account, on average, for 60 to 70 percent of total employment and 50 percent of GDP worldwide,” the IFC noted in a 2024 statement. “Still, there is currently a roughly $5.7 trillion financing gap for MSMEs.”

For the Caribbean specifically, the data reveals a region in crisis. Jamaica carries the largest absolute financing gap among Caribbean pilot countries at $2.717 billion – second highest relative to GDP, according to the September 2025 ICR Facility report. Belize records the highest financing gap as a percentage of GDP at 26 percent.

The LAC region has also seen a contraction in the supply of formal finance of approximately 4 percent per year over the most recent four-year measurement period, according to the SME Finance Forum’s MSME Finance Gap database – even as other emerging market regions expanded access significantly.

The barriers are well documented. According to research published by the Inter-American Development Bank, more than half of all small and medium enterprises in the Latin America and Caribbean region do not have access to the formal financial sector in the best of times. For women-owned businesses, the failure of the financial system is described as even greater.

“The financing gap is significant with respect to regional GDP,” the IDB concluded. “At the micro-level, the system does not serve MSMEs well.”

The structural causes are familiar – documentation requirements that do not fit the realities of emerging market borrowers, a lack of standardized deal packaging, and lenders who lack the local knowledge to assess risk accurately.

Technology platforms are beginning to address this gap. AI Capital Exchange, a platform powered by Invest Caribbean, uses AI-driven pre-qualification to connect companies including in Latin American and the Caribbean, to institutional debt capital – screening borrowers against real lender criteria in under 30 minutes and matching qualified applicants to the right lending partner.

“The problem was never a shortage of capital,” said Felicia J. Persaud, Founder and CEO. “It was a discovery failure. Qualified borrowers were invisible to lenders. We built the Whale Filter to make them visible – and to protect lenders from the 98 percent of deal flow that isn’t ready.”

The IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries in fiscal year 2025 – underscoring both the scale of institutional appetite for emerging market lending and the urgency of building better pipelines between qualified borrowers and available capital.

For small and medium enterprises across the Caribbean and Latin America, that pipeline has never been more urgently needed.

To check capital readiness and explore financing options, visit: www.investcaribbeannow.com/capital-readiness-check

RELATED: Can The Caribbean Be The Next AI Data Center Valley?

From Jamaica To Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Empire: Meet The Caribbean-American Duo Making History With Juici Patties And Slutty Vegan

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By Staff Reporter | NewsAmericasNow.com

News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Weds. June 10, 2026: During Caribbean American Heritage Month, few stories capture the spirit of Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurship quite like that of Khadejah Davis and Jamel Douglas – the Jamaican immigrant duo who have quietly built one of the most remarkable franchise empires in American business.

First-generation entrepreneurs. Multi-million dollar operators. History makers. Twice over. Davis and Douglas made history as the first US franchise owners of Juici Patties – the iconic Jamaican fast-food chain founded in May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica in 1980 by a 16-year-old entrepreneur named Jukie Chin. Now they are making history again as the first-ever franchisees of Slutty Vegan – the Atlanta-based plant-based burger chain that has become one of America’s most talked-about food brands.

The Juici Patties Story

When Juici Patties began its expansion into Florida, Davis and Douglas stepped forward – and changed Caribbean food history in the United States. Their flagship location in Lauderhill, South Florida – at 5419 N University Drive – generated over $1 million in sales in just 90 days, according to reporting on their launch. A Brooklyn, New York location in Flatbush followed – bringing authentic Jamaican patties to one of the largest Caribbean diaspora communities in the United States.

The business partnership was built on deep cultural roots and market knowledge. Davis is a restaurateur of Jamaican descent with previous experience operating a Jamaican cuisine restaurant. Douglas – also Jamaican-born – owns an accounting and insurance firm and has been a lifelong Juici Patties devotee.

“It’s not just a venture of the heart, we’re very familiar with the market and know that patties are a must-have in Florida,” Douglas told Our Today, as quoted in the publication.

Their success is part of a broader Juici Patties expansion plan targeting 40 new locations across Florida. The pair plan to add four more Juici Patties restaurants to their growing portfolio.

Now – Slutty Vegan

Having conquered Jamaican patties in America, Davis and Douglas are now turning their franchise expertise to plant-based burgers. Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan has signed franchise agreements with the duo to operate new locations in Atlanta and Washington DC – adding experienced multi-unit operators to the brand’s expanding network as it grows beyond its Georgia roots.

Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes – who recently joined the cast of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta – was deliberate in her selection of franchisees.

“Atlanta is where Slutty Vegan was born, and we’re planting deeper roots here while establishing our presence in DC,” Cole Hayes said, as quoted in the franchise announcement. “I was intentional about partnering with operators who understand our business and the culture because this is bigger than the burgers. We’re creating opportunity, legacy and proving what’s possible when you never give up.”

The road to this moment has not been without turbulence for Slutty Vegan itself. Cole Hayes temporarily lost ownership of the business in early 2025 following significant cash-flow pressures before reacquiring the company through restructuring. The franchise expansion with Davis and Douglas represents the brand’s most visible growth move since that period.

Khadejah Davis – More Than A Franchisee

Davis’s story is one of the most extraordinary in Caribbean-American entrepreneurship – and it extends far beyond the restaurant industry.

A former registered nurse turned entrepreneur, Davis holds a BFA in Acting from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica – the first and only performing arts college of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. She wrote, produced, and starred in the acclaimed one-woman show SHADE – which explored her Jamerican identity and the challenges of growing up Jamaican-born in America – performing it at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

She has since authored the Multipreneur’s Playbook and works as a franchise coach helping other women build wealth through business ownership. From registered nurse to playwright to multi-million dollar franchise operator – Davis is the embodiment of what Caribbean Heritage Month exists to celebrate.

A Legacy Of Firsts

Together, Davis and Douglas have built what they describe as a legacy of firsts – and they show no signs of stopping.

First US Juici Patties franchisees. First Slutty Vegan franchisees. Multi-state operators. Multi-million dollar revenue. And a broader mission to prove that Caribbean immigrant entrepreneurs can build generational wealth through franchising. For the Caribbean diaspora watching from New York, South Florida, Atlanta, and beyond – their story is both inspiration and instruction. The empire, as they put it, has just begun.

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The $936 Billion Wall: Bridge Loans And Caribbean and Latin American Developers

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By News Americas Business Editor

New Americas, MIAMI, FL, Sun. June 7, 2026: A financial reckoning is underway in global commercial real estate markets, and Caribbean and Latin American developers are feeling the pressure. More than $936 billion in U.S. commercial real estate loans, including Bridge Loans, are scheduled to mature in 2026, according to PeerSense, a commercial lending research platform – and that number does not account for the mounting debt pressures facing property owners across Latin America and the Caribbean, where local banks have been steadily pulling back from mid-market lending for years.

The result: a growing class of qualified developers and business owners who own significant assets but cannot access the capital they need to move their projects forward.

“Bridge loans close in two to four weeks,” according to PeerSense’s 2026 commercial lending data. “Conventional lenders take 60 to 90 days. Their credit committees are designed for stabilized, income-producing assets – not for the reality of today’s development landscape.”

That reality is particularly acute in the Caribbean and Latin America, where developers frequently own land and commercial assets free and clear but face what industry observers call a “documentation mismatch” – their wealth does not conform to the templates demanded by traditional lenders.

Bridge financing – short-term capital typically structured for 12 to 36 months – has emerged as the primary solution. According to Global Mortgage Group, the underwriting for these instruments centers on property value and a viable exit strategy rather than a borrower’s personal income, employment history, or domestic credit profile.

Current bridge loan rates in 2026 run between 8 and 14.5 percent depending on leverage, according to PeerSense’s lending index, which rose 112 percent year over year – its highest level since 2018.

For Caribbean and Latin American developers, the window is now. Resort developers who purchased prime beach land in cash, industrial park operators in Mexico and Central America, and commercial property owners in São Paulo, Panama City, and Santiago are among the profiles that financial platforms say are most actively seeking bridge capital in 2026.

AI Capital Exchange, a Miami-based AI-powered debt pre-qualification platform powered by Invest Caribbean, says it is seeing growing demand from exactly this borrower profile across the region.

“The borrowers are there. The assets are there. The equity is there. What’s missing is the connection to the right lender – fast enough to make the deal work,” said Felicia J. Persaud, Founder and CEO of AI Capital Exchange. “Bridge financing doesn’t have to take months. We can tell a borrower in under 30 minutes whether they qualify and which institutional lender is the right match for their project.”

The platform, which has filtered more than $205 million in global deal flow since January 2026, operates what it calls the Whale Filter – an AI pre-qualification engine that screens borrowers against real institutional lender criteria before any lender time is spent reviewing a file.

For developers navigating the 2026 maturity wall, the message from the market is clear: bridge financing is no longer a last resort. It is the primary tool — and accessing it faster may be the difference between a project that closes and one that doesn’t.

To check loan eligibility, visit: www.investcaribbeannow.com/capital-readiness-check or pre-qualify now.

RELATED: A Historic Billion-Dollar Caribbean Banking Deal: Who Is Really Behind The Biggest Bank Deal In Caribbean History?

Afreximbank Deepens Engagement with Jamaica to Drive Trade, Investment and Industrialization

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a move to highlight the strategic importance of the Jamaican market within the Caribbean and the country’s growing role in regional trade and investment, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank or the Bank) (www.Afreximbank.com) undertook an inaugural roadshow in Kingston, Jamaica, on 2 June 2026.

Organised under the theme, “Empowering Jamaica’s Growth: Catalysing Trade, Investment and Industrialisation through Tailored Afreximbank Solutions,” the roadshow built on the momentum generated by Jamaica’s signing of Afreximbank’s Partnership Agreement in July 2025 and the subsequent approval by the Bank’s Board of Directors of a US$5 billion financing facility for the Caribbean, including Jamaica.

The roadshow attracted strong participation from Jamaica’s business community. It provided an opportunity to raise awareness of Afreximbank’s mandate, mission and vision among key stakeholders in Jamaica, including government representatives, private sector leaders and financial institutions. It also served as a platform to introduce the Bank’s suite of financing, trade facilitation and investment solutions to the Jamaican market for the first time.

In addition, the engagement enabled the Afreximbank delegation to gain valuable insights into Jamaica’s trade and development priorities, investment opportunities, financing needs and business environment. These interactions have further strengthened the Bank’s understanding of the Jamaican market and will help inform the development of tailored solutions to support the country’s economic growth and trade ambitions.

The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and the Public Service. In her remarks, Minister Williams stated: “We understand that, for more than three decades, Afreximbank has been delivering financing solutions that support trade and drive economic growth across Africa. Its reach now extends beyond the continent’s shores, with the Bank establishing a growing presence in the Caribbean. It is clear that the partnership between Afreximbank and Jamaica continues to strengthen. I therefore encourage all Jamaican institutions represented here today to deepen their engagement with Afreximbank so that, together, we can unlock greater opportunities for two-way trade and investment between Jamaica and Africa.”

Also, speaking at the event, Mr. Eric Monchu Intong, Afreximbank’s Group Managing Director, Client Relations and Regional Office Operations, highlighted the Bank’s experience in supporting tourism and hospitality development across Africa and the Caribbean. He said: “At Afreximbank, we believe that industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable trade and economic transformation. To trade successfully with Global Africa, we must first produce. Through investments in industrial parks, special economic zones and local manufacturing, Jamaica has an opportunity to reduce import dependence, increase value-added exports, create jobs and strengthen its economic resilience. This approach has delivered results across 18 African countries, where Afreximbank has supported the development of industrial parks and special economic zones through initiatives such as its US$450 million global credit facility with ARISE IIP, alongside critical trade finance support to businesses across the continent. We believe these lessons and solutions can be adapted to support Jamaica’s industrial growth ambitions and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and economic development.”

Afreximbank remains committed to supporting increased intra-Caribbean and Africa-Caribbean trade by improving access to trade finance, investment capital and advisory support. The roadshow underscored the Bank’s commitment to advancing the Global Africa agenda and strengthening economic and commercial ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), and. Moody’s (Baa2). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

RELATED: Afreximbank Deepens Commitment to Economic Progress in The Bahamas

Afreximbank Deepens Commitment to Economic Progress in The Bahamas

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The roadshow which took place under the theme “Investing in progress through the implementation of the Afreximbank mandate in The Bahamas” built on the current achievements between the Bank and The Bahamas

CAIRO, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) held a high-level roadshow in Nassau, The Bahamas, on 29 May, aimed at deepening engagement with key stakeholders and businesses across the government, the private sector, and financial institutions across the country.

Organised as part of the Bank’s broad strategy to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, the roadshow which took place under the theme “Investing in progress through the implementation of the Afreximbank mandate in The Bahamas” built on the current achievements between the Bank and The Bahamas to explore more opportunities for shared prosperity.

The roadshow follows an approval by the Board of Directors of Afreximbank of a financing facility of up to US$ 5-billion for the Caribbean region, including The Bahamas. This approval signals Afreximbank’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Global Africa agenda by strengthening commercial and financial ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The event was officiated by the Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas and well attended by the business community in The Bahamas, provided a platform for Afreximbank to showcase its suite of financing, advisory and trade facilitation solutions available to businesses and institutions in The Bahamas and to foster stronger institutional partnerships.

Speaking at the roadshow, the Prime Minister said: “Economic growth must translate into broader economic participation, ensuring that more Bahamians have the chance to build businesses, create jobs, and share in the country’s progress. We have made some progress in this area, but continuing to strengthen access to capital through institutions such as the Afreximbank is an important part of our ongoing efforts.”

“This roadshow also reminds us of the importance of regional and international cooperation at a time when many economies are navigating uncertainty,” he added.

While making his opening remarks, Mr. Ihejirika said: “In less than three years of operations within the CARICOM, Afreximbank has demonstrated a strong commitment to economic development in the region, especially in The Bahamas by supporting key projects across critical sectors. To date, the Bank has facilitated approximately USD 140 million in infrastructure financing through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, while also extending USD 30 million in support to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. These investments underscore Afreximbank’s mandate to drive sustainable growth, enhance economic resilience, and expand opportunities for businesses and communities throughout The Bahamas.”

Other notable speakers who attended the event include Honourable Michael B. Halkitis, Minister of Finance and Honourable Ginger M. Moxey, Minister of Grand Bahama, Mr. Atario Mitchell, President, Bahamas Stripping Group of Companies and Mr. Kino Simmons, Managing Director CAT Island Development Company.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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About Afreximbank:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) at “Stable”, Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com