Entrepreneurs, investors and professionals in Nigeria are set to benefit from easier travel access to the Caribbean after Grenada announced visa-free entry for Nigerian passport holders, a move aimed at strengthening economic, business and cultural relations between both countries.

The announcement was made in Lagos by Grenada’s Honorary Consul in Nigeria, Bidemi Sonoiki, during a press briefing following a recent working visit to the Caribbean nation.

Grenada is a small island country in the eastern Caribbean, made up of the main island of Grenada and the smaller islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is widely known as the “Spice Isle” due to its strong production of nutmeg and other spices.

The new visa-free arrangement, which is expected to take effect in July, is intended to simplify business travel, encourage investment opportunities, and expand educational and commercial exchanges between Nigeria and Grenada.

“Today, Grenada presents a compelling opportunity for Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs looking to access new markets beyond Africa,” Sonoiki said.

He noted that the growing engagement between Africa and the Caribbean is shaping a new economic corridor with the potential to unlock significant opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, education and wider business development.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a strategic economic corridor between Africa and the Caribbean, one that offers immense opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, education and business growth,” he said.

Sonoiki also disclosed that discussions are ongoing on the establishment of direct air connectivity between Nigeria and the Caribbean, stressing that improved transportation links would serve as a key catalyst for economic activity and cross-border investment.

“Connectivity is one of the most important enablers of economic growth. Establishing direct links between Nigeria and the Caribbean would unlock enormous opportunities for trade, investment and tourism while positioning Grenada as a strategic gateway for African businesses seeking access to Caribbean markets,” he said.

Economic and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Grenada have deepened significantly since the establishment of the Grenadian Honorary Consulate in Lagos in 2022.

This development has led to expanded engagement between both governments, enhanced private-sector collaboration, and the formation of the Nigeria-Grenada Chamber of Commerce, further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.