About AfriLat Group

Built to Bridge Markets. Positioned for Global Opportunity.

An independent international business advisory firm, founded on a vision of connecting Africa and Latin America.

Our story

Opportunity lives between underconnected markets.

AfriLat Group was established with a clear conviction: some of the most compelling international business opportunities exist between markets that have historically been underconnected.

With its foundations in strengthening commercial relationships between Africa and Latin America, particularly through Panamá, AfriLat was created to help businesses, investors, and institutions navigate cross-border opportunities with greater clarity, confidence, and strategic direction.

Today, the firm brings that same perspective to international business advisory more broadly, supporting market entry, corporate and commercial strategy, strategic partnerships, and cross-border business development.

Our approach recognizes that successful international expansion requires more than identifying an opportunity. It demands an understanding of local business environments, institutional dynamics, cultural context, and the relationships that make commercial progress possible.

We connect commercial ambition with strategic direction, helping clients move from opportunity to execution.

Our philosophy

Three convictions shape how we advise.

They reflect what most often decides whether an international venture moves forward or stalls.

Commercial Intelligence

Understanding market environments, business structures, commercial considerations, and strategic opportunities.

Strategic Relationships

Recognizing that meaningful commercial progress often depends on trusted relationships, stakeholder alignment, and effective cross-border engagement.

III

Cultural & Institutional Fluency

Navigating international business with an appreciation for cultural differences, institutional structures, and local commercial realities.

Our approach

From opportunity to execution.

Each engagement is shaped to the client's objectives. The discipline behind it is consistent.

Understand

Assess the client's commercial objectives, business environment and strategic priorities.

Connect

Identify relevant markets, stakeholders, commercial relationships and opportunities.

Strategize

Develop practical recommendations and pathways for advancing business objectives.

Execute

Support implementation, relationship development and the coordination of agreed commercial activities.

Leadership

Xiomara Small

Principal, AfriLat Group

Xiomara Small is an international business advisor, global partnerships strategist, and entrepreneur whose career spans international stakeholder engagement, strategic relationship development, and cross-border commercial initiatives.

Her professional experience includes senior leadership in global partnerships and engagement, working across corporate, institutional, philanthropic, and international environments.

As Principal of AfriLat Group, she brings a relationship-driven approach to international business advisory, informed by her experience navigating diverse markets, cultures, and institutional landscapes.

Xiomara serves as Honorary Advisor of Commercial Affairs to Nigeria and South Africa for the Republic of Panamá, an appointment through Panamá's Ministry of Commerce and Industries. This role reflects her involvement in strengthening commercial relationships between Panamá and African markets.

Through AfriLat Group, she focuses on helping companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and institutions identify international commercial opportunities, develop strategic relationships, and navigate cross-border business environments.

The honorary appointment is a public role distinct from AfriLat Group's commercial work. AfriLat Group is an independent private advisory firm; it does not act on behalf of the Government of Panamá, and its services carry no official government authority or endorsement.

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Mission

To advance international commercial opportunity by connecting businesses, capital, and strategic relationships across global markets.

Vision

To be a trusted international advisory partner for organizations seeking to navigate markets, develop meaningful commercial relationships, and expand across borders.

AfriLat Group provides strategic advisory services. We do not guarantee market access, investment outcomes, government approvals or the completion of any commercial transaction, and we do not provide legal, tax, investment or other regulated professional advice.

Next step

Bring us the opportunity you are weighing.

A short discovery conversation is the best way to determine whether, and how, we can help.

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