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Afretrade has launched a new digital platform aimed at empowering 100 million African businesses by providing tools that simplify trade, financing, and cross-border market access across the continent.
The company said the platform was created to address long-standing challenges faced by African MSMEs, including limited market visibility, inefficient supply chains, and barriers to accessing trade information. The system allows entrepreneurs to connect with verified buyers, suppliers, and service providers.
According to Afretrade, the platform integrates real-time trade data and analytics to help businesses make informed decisions. Users can also manage logistics and payments within the platform, reducing friction in areas that typically slow down African commerce.
The company added that the platform aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to boost intra-African trade by creating a more unified economic environment. By giving smaller businesses access to broader markets, Afretrade hopes to accelerate participation in regional value chains.
Industry analysts say digital trade ecosystems like this can significantly reduce operational costs for small businesses and increase trust through verified marketplaces. Many African MSMEs still operate in informal or semi-structured ways, limiting their ability to scale or attract investment.
Afretrade explained that its solution is designed to address these gaps by offering a structured, transparent, and accessible digital hub. The platform also supports onboarding for entrepreneurs who are new to digital tools or formal market processes.
The company believes the innovation has the potential to reshape the continent’s business landscape, especially for young entrepreneurs eager to reach new markets. However, it noted that adoption rates will depend on digital literacy levels and the reliability of internet infrastructure in different regions.
If widely adopted, the platform could become one of the largest digital business ecosystems in Africa, connecting millions of entrepreneurs and strengthening regional economic integration.
The company said the platform was created to address long-standing challenges faced by African MSMEs, including limited market visibility, inefficient supply chains, and barriers to accessing trade information. The system allows entrepreneurs to connect with verified buyers, suppliers, and service providers.
According to Afretrade, the platform integrates real-time trade data and analytics to help businesses make informed decisions. Users can also manage logistics and payments within the platform, reducing friction in areas that typically slow down African commerce.
The company added that the platform aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to boost intra-African trade by creating a more unified economic environment. By giving smaller businesses access to broader markets, Afretrade hopes to accelerate participation in regional value chains.
Industry analysts say digital trade ecosystems like this can significantly reduce operational costs for small businesses and increase trust through verified marketplaces. Many African MSMEs still operate in informal or semi-structured ways, limiting their ability to scale or attract investment.
Afretrade explained that its solution is designed to address these gaps by offering a structured, transparent, and accessible digital hub. The platform also supports onboarding for entrepreneurs who are new to digital tools or formal market processes.
The company believes the innovation has the potential to reshape the continent’s business landscape, especially for young entrepreneurs eager to reach new markets. However, it noted that adoption rates will depend on digital literacy levels and the reliability of internet infrastructure in different regions.
If widely adopted, the platform could become one of the largest digital business ecosystems in Africa, connecting millions of entrepreneurs and strengthening regional economic integration.