At the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Carney announced new investments totalling more than $70 million to support trade, investment, and climate action across the Commonwealth.
Caribbean communities
Strengthening Resilient Schools and Education in the Caribbean
Partner: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Funding: $10 million over six years
Countries: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname
This funding will support UNICEF in helping Caribbean countries ensure children can continue learning safely during climate-related emergencies and other disasters by strengthening school infrastructure, education policies, and preparedness systems.
Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation & Skills Exchange Facility
Partners: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Funding: $5 million over two years
Countries: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
This funding will help four eastern Caribbean countries develop more climate-resilient infrastructure by enabling rapid access to specialised technical expertise, while equipping local teams with the skills needed to implement projects more effectively and efficiently.
World Food Programme Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub
Partner: World Food Programme (WFP)
Funding: $5 million over two years
Countries: Caribbean region
This funding will support the operations of the WFP’s Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre for Excellence located in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Hub stores emergency supplies and helps to quickly dispatch food and relief items to communities affected by natural disasters.
Harnessing Sargassum for Climate-Resilient Growth and Business Opportunities in the Caribbean
Partners: International Trade Centre (ITC)
Funding: $3 million over three years
Countries: Various countries in the Caribbean region
This funding will support efforts to help Caribbean businesses transform sargassum, a type of seaweed that accumulates on the Caribbean coastline, from a persistent environmental challenge into sustainable economic opportunities. An excessive amount of sargassum can pose a threat to coastal environments, disrupt tourism and fishing activities, and create unpleasant odours. The project will support the development and commercialisation of sargassum-based products, including fertilisers, building materials, and biofuels, while strengthening business, technology, and investment partnerships with Canada.
Financial development
Supporting Zambia’s National Commercial Bank
Partners: Multiple, including Citibank, Swedfund, and Norfund
Funding: $50 million
Countries: Zambia
FinDev Canada will provide an approximately $50 million loan to Zanaco, the largest financial institution in Zambia. The loan will enable Zanaco to improve access to financial services for small and medium-sized businesses, including women-owned or led small and medium-sized businesses and agribusinesses. This represents FinDev Canada’s first direct investment in Zambia and an opportunity to advance Canada’s bilateral relations with Zambia, in line with Canada’s Africa Strategy.
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