Saint Lucia is set to become the newest shareholder of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, following the Board of Directors’ approval of the island nation’s incorporation. The move signals a deepening of CAF’s engagement with the English-speaking Caribbean and strengthens its support for member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Once the formal process is complete, Saint Lucia will join as a Series “C” shareholder, gaining access to a range of CAF’s financial, technical, and knowledge-based services. These resources are designed to advance development priorities and improve quality of life through agile, flexible financing for climate action, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development initiatives.
“We are heartened by Saint Lucia’s decision to join CAF. This represents a strong vote of confidence in our renewed agenda for sustainable, inclusive growth,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. “We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the Government of Saint Lucia, and we look forward to working closely with the country to advance resilience building, climate action, and regional integration.”
Saint Lucia’s incorporation is part of CAF’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Caribbean. In 2022, CAF established its Regional Office for the Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, laying the groundwork for more targeted development assistance in areas such as water, energy and food security, sustainable tourism, digital transformation, and infrastructure modernization.
CAF has also approved a USD 50 million Caribbean facility aimed at pre-investment and development projects across critical sectors. The funding will support climate adaptation efforts and bolster institutional capacity in small island developing states (SIDS), which remain particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
With Saint Lucia onboard, CAF becomes the development bank with the widest footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring its ongoing commitment to sustainable and inclusive development throughout the region.
