Afreximbank Highlights Barbados' Economic Resilience and Growth Prospects

Afreximbank has released its Barbados Country Brief, providing an analysis of the island's economic outlook. Barbados has shown resilient growth after the Covid-19 pandemic, with GDP growth averaging 5.6% from 2021 to 2026. Forecasts predict growth of 1.9% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027, driven by tourism, investment projects, and governmental support.

The IMF-supported Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, completed in 2025, set the stage for a new stage of reform with a USD257 million Stand-By Arrangement in 2026. Barbados aims to cut its public debt to 60% of GDP by 2036, with current debt reduced to 96% of GDP in March 2026.

The country's trade and financial sectors are strengthening, with trade expected to rise to USD6.3 billion in 2026. A national instant payment system was launched, enhancing financial inclusion and infrastructure resilience.