Africa Trade Gateway connects digital services for cross-border business
The Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) was presented at Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé as a connected digital environment for African commerce. Afreximbank’s account of the session describes a platform bringing together businesses, financial institutions and partners to improve the processes involved in cross-border trade.
The discussion, led by Annerose Ngemu of Afreximbank Digital and Innovation, focused on market access, payments, supply-chain visibility and the role of digital infrastructure in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
For buyers and suppliers, the appeal of connected services is straightforward. Finding a potential partner is only one step. A transaction also requires information about the business, agreement on commercial terms, a workable payment route and a plan for moving the goods.
ATG’s presentation positions digital coordination as part of the answer to those challenges. It does not mean that every transaction is automatically financed or that every supplier meets a buyer’s particular requirements.
The buyer perspective is to approach a platform with a defined purchasing need. Set out the product, specifications, order volume, destination and expected delivery period before starting supplier conversations. Keep a record of the checks and decisions needed to move from an introduction to a confirmed order.
African Buyers Programme members can assess how digital trade services fit into their own procurement process. The most useful tools will make existing decisions easier to organise and document. Combining those tools with careful supplier evaluation and commercial agreements can help businesses turn regional market interest into repeatable trading relationships across African borders.
