Historic Transatlantic Agreement Signed: A Bold Leap Toward Reparative Justice, Digital Unity, and $1 Billion African Investment

By Chidi Jacob, President – African Diaspora Impact Center, Inc (ADIC)

In a groundbreaking move destined to reshape African global engagement, the African Diaspora Impact Center, Inc. (ADIC) announced the signing of the historic ‘Transatlantic Agreement’ on September 16, 2025, in Suriname. This landmark pact launches the African Transatlantic Special Digital Development Zone (ATSDZ)—a pioneering private sector-led initiative aimed at healing the historic wounds of the transatlantic slave trade while driving transformative economic and social development across Africa and its diaspora.

The ATSDZ presents an innovative blueprint grounded in reparative justice and the proprietary Integrated Impact Enterprise (IIE) Model™, creating a secure digital platform that unites diverse African communities such as the Ndigbo in Nigeria, Kikuyu in Kenya, and Akan in Ghana with diaspora hubs in the Caribbean and the Americas. This initiative will also see the creation of physical IIE-4IR Nature and Heritage Centers, designated as special economic zones (SEZs), which will blend agro-processing, telemedicine, e-learning, and cultural tourism to empower rural populations, reconnect descendants affected by the slave trade, and stimulate intra-African commerce aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

New Africa: The Age of Redemption for Global Peace and Inclusive Development

Dawn Simpson, Chairperson of the African Transatlantic Heritage Council (ATHC), emphasized the historic and visionary nature of the agreement: “Today’s agreement is not just a pact—it’s a promise to our ancestors and a blueprint for our future. By harnessing diaspora capital, talent, and networks, we’re turning historical pain into economic power, mobilizing $1 billion to create jobs, secure food and health systems, and build resilient communities. This is Africa-led development in action—profitable, inclusive, and unstoppable.”

Key elements of the agreement include:

Digital Unity: Establishment of a unified digital framework integrating African communities worldwide to foster global trade, economic sovereignty, cultural unity, and inclusive development.
Physical Special Economic Zones: Development of community-based hubs offering agro-processing facilities, healthcare suites, vocational training, and cultural museums, targeting support for 1 million descendants by 2035.
Reparative Justice: Implementation of genealogical programs, heritage festivals, and trade empowerment initiatives committed to acknowledging the harms inflicted by the transatlantic slave trade and fostering healing through policy reforms, restitution, and shared prosperity.

The agreement was signed by founding members including ADIC, the African Transatlantic Heritage Council, corporate leaders, and government representatives from Grenada, Suriname, Isle of Man, and Nigeria. Notable signatories are Patrick Ibekwe, Vice President of ADIC (USA); Dawn Simpson, Chairperson of ATHC (Suriname/Jamaica); Obinna K. Oliaku, Deputy Chairperson of ATHC (Finland); Dion Croom, Special Advisor for Technology and Innovation (Isle of Man); Daniel Okeke, National Coordinator for Grenada; and Chidi Jacob, Program Coordinator for Ndigbo 2035/ACCEED Initiative (Nigeria).

This historic agreement is poised to reshape how African heritage and diasporic connections drive economic empowerment and sustainable development on a continental and global scale, marking a pivotal moment in reparative justice and unity for millions connected by a shared history.

For further information, contact +1 (804) 964-0428 or email [email protected].