The agreement comes as African businesses increasingly seek to use the AfCFTA to expand beyond their domestic markets
Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa's multilateral lender, African Export-Import Bank and the East African Business Council are expanding digital trade access for businesses across East Africa, linking companies to the 300 million-consumer East African Community Common Market and the 1.3 billion-consumer African Continental Free Trade Area market.
The initiative is being delivered through Afreximbank's Africa Trade Gateway, a digital platform designed to connect businesses with buyers, suppliers, financial institutions and other services needed to complete cross-border transactions.
The two organisations formalised the partnership through an Africa Trade Gateway Agency Agreement signed during the inaugural East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi on Sept. 17-18, 2026.
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The agreement builds on EABC's work to promote digital trade tools among its members and support their onboarding onto the platform.
For businesses across the region, the partnership is intended to address some of the practical barriers to cross-border trade, including finding reliable trading partners, accessing market information and connecting with finance and payment services.
In his remarks, Emeka Onyia, Director, Digital Business and Innovation at Afreximbank, said: "The Africa Trade Gateway is Africa's digital trade ecosystem; It connects businesses with the partners and services they need to trade. We help companies identify opportunities, engage with trusted buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and turn those connections into complete transactions. Each successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants and creates even greater opportunities for African businesses."
"Many businesses know there are opportunities beyond their borders but struggle to identify trusted partners or access the services required to trade. Through our collaboration with EABC, more East African businesses will be able to enter new markets with greater confidence by accessing the trusted network and digital services available through the Africa Trade Gateway." Onyia added.
The partnership also focuses on helping East African businesses understand the regulatory requirements for accessing markets under the AfCFTA.
"EABC is empowering East African enterprises with knowledge on AfCFTA market opportunities, Rules of Origin, tariff concessions, customs procedures and export requirements, complemented by tailored advisory support on market entry and export readiness."
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"As an onboarding agent for the Afreximbank Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), EABC is connecting enterprises to the platform, enabling access to business-to-business matchmaking and trade finance solutions that can facilitate intra-African trade under the AfCFTA."
The agreement comes as African businesses increasingly seek to use the AfCFTA to expand beyond their domestic markets. By combining EABC's regional business network with ATG's digital services, the organisations aim to reduce some of the information, partner identification and financing barriers that can limit cross-border trade.
The platform is expected to provide businesses with access to verified buyers and suppliers across Africa and beyond, while also providing information on potential trading partners and links to finance and payment solutions.
