Afreximbank's Africa Trade Gateway, a digital trade platform, has completed a $5.3 million fuel deal between a Zimbabwean importer and a Swiss supplier. The transaction highlights how the ecosystem connects African businesses with financing and international trading opportunities.
Witeva Trading, the fuel importer based in Zimbabwe, sourced the gasoil shipment through the platform. Innbucks Microbank Ltd. issued the financing locally while Afreximbank provided support under the agreed trade finance structure.
The deal marks two significant firsts for the platform: Innbucks Microbank's debut transaction on the gateway and the ecosystem's first energy-sector deal in Southern Africa. It shows how businesses can identify opportunities, access finance and complete cross-border deals using a single connected system.
Peter Olowononi, Afreximbank's regional operations director for Southern Africa, said the transaction proves the value of linking African businesses and financial institutions through one digital ecosystem. "By creating a digital ecosystem to expand access to trade finance, Afreximbank is enabling more businesses to participate easily in regional and international trade," he said.
Emeka Onyia, the bank's digital business director, described the Africa Trade Gateway as more than just a platform. He told reporters it functions as a complete ecosystem where businesses discover opportunities, connect with trusted partners and financial institutions, and execute deals from start to finish.
Onyia added that each successful transaction strengthens the network and draws new participants. "As more businesses, banks and trade partners join the ecosystem, the marketplace expands, trust across the network deepens and opportunities for future trade continue to grow," he noted.
The gateway demonstrates how digital infrastructure can streamline cross-border commerce across Africa. It removes friction from trade processes while connecting verified buyers, sellers and lenders on a single platform.
