Africa Trade Gateway : a digital lever to transform intra-african trade

On October 14, Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat organized a national awareness initiative in Kigali to highlight the importance of the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), aimed at promoting local adoption and understanding of its benefits. Behind this showcase lies a broader dynamic: the ATG is not merely a technical tool, but a strategic lever for African economic integration and the modernization of trade.

This integrated platform allows companies to find reliable partners, access financing, execute secure cross-border payments, and connect buyers, sellers, financial institutions, and logistics providers across the continent.

From concept to community, from potential to impact

Since its launch, the ATG has progressively expanded its features. It now offers transaction certification solutions, digital financing, logistics traceability, and market analytics, facilitating SMEs’ access to new markets and accelerating intra-African trade. According to Emeka Onyia, Director of Afreximbank’s Digital Bank, “Africa Trade Gateway is a game-changer for African trade. Intra-African trade still represents less than 15% of total trade, showing that we simply do not trade enough among ourselves. The ATG is the ideal activity to move from concept to community, from potential to impact.”

Centralizing market information, simplifying procedures, and facilitating secure transactions

Intra-African trade remains a central challenge for the continent. Despite its economic potential, less than 15% of African trade occurs between African countries, compared to 60% in Europe or 50% in Asia. This low integration limits industrialization, slows job creation, and reduces opportunities for local processing of raw materials. The ATG helps bridge this gap by centralizing market information, simplifying procedures, and facilitating secure transactions, while promoting transparency and trust among actors.

Digital trade protocol: the first continental framework for online trade in Africa

Intra-African digital trade, in particular, is set to play a key role. With rapidly growing digital infrastructure, the platform enables companies to conduct paperless transactions, track goods in real time, and reduce costs associated with intermediaries. It is also aligned with the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, adopted in February 2024, the first continental regulatory framework for online trade in Africa, which seeks to harmonize regulations, facilitate electronic payments, protect data, and secure cross-border transactions. By linking payment systems and standardizing digital exchanges, the protocol and the ATG pave the way for a more integrated, inclusive, and competitive economy.

Africa’s commercial future is digital, integration is within reach, and the Africa Trade Gateway is the highway that will get us there

According to Felix Kabara Chege, CEO of Real Sources Africa, a commercial company linked to AfCFTA, specializing in facilitating digital trade transactions between African businesses, “Africa’s commercial future is digital, integration is within reach, and the Africa Trade Gateway is the highway that will get us there.” The ATG also supports industrialization and the creation of skilled jobs. Its logistical and digital infrastructure enables better use of regional value chains, development of high-value-added services, and strengthening of local capacities.

Trust among actors and legal security are crucial for the platform to reach its full potential

Yet challenges remain. Unequal access to the Internet and logistics infrastructure, regulatory complexity, and differing national standards continue to pose obstacles. Trust among actors and legal security are crucial for the platform to reach its full potential. Afreximbank, the driving force behind this project, provides a secure financial and institutional framework, with instruments such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and a US$10 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to support countries in implementing the AfCFTA.

By centralizing transactions and facilitating market access, the ATG contributes to more equitable economic growth, social inclusion, and the transformation of African economies. It also demonstrates Africa’s ability to design and manage large-scale digital projects that can compete with international standards. While challenges remain, the opportunities offered by the Africa Trade Gateway are substantial: strengthening intra-African trade, supporting industrialization, creating jobs, and accelerating continental economic integration.