Afreximbank and Africa Trading and Distribution Company (ATDC) Conclude a US$500 Million Financing Facility to Develop Trade and Distribution in Africa

Under this credit facility, Afreximbank will provide ATDC with trade finance capacity, enabling it to execute and expand eligible trading and distribution operations across the continent.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Africa Trading and Distribution Company (ATDC) have finalized an agreement for a US$500 million credit facility. This facility aims to boost trade, as well as the movement and distribution of commodities and products, within African and global markets.

ATDC is a pan-African platform established to develop trade in Africa, accelerate industrialization through increased local value addition, and strengthen the continent’s economic integration. The platform’s initial activities were launched in Egypt, and its operations have since expanded to Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. In doing so, the platform helps bridge gaps in trade and market intelligence, facilitates access to market opportunities, and supports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This facility enhances ATDC’s capacity to aggregate supply, mobilize necessary working capital, and ensure the efficient movement of goods.

Under this credit facility, Afreximbank will provide ATDC with trade finance capacity, enabling it to execute and expand eligible trading and distribution operations across the continent. This funding will support the procurement and aggregation of African products, as well as costs associated with logistics, transportation, warehousing, and distribution. It will thus provide ATDC with the financial resources needed for the various stages of the trade and distribution chain.

ATDC will allocate the funds made available through this facility to eligible trade, logistics, and distribution operations. Repayment of the financing will be secured by revenues generated from the sale of goods financed under the facility.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, stated: “The US$500 million credit facility granted to ATDC demonstrates Afreximbank’s commitment to strengthening the trade, logistics, and distribution infrastructure and mechanisms required to fully unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By facilitating the efficient distribution of ‘Made in Africa’ products across the continent, this facility will help deepen regional value chains and expand market access for African producers. It will also boost exports of manufactured goods and advance the AfCFTA vision of a more integrated and industrialized African economy. Furthermore, it will help enhance the competitiveness of African products in international markets and position the continent as a major exporter of high-value-added products and manufactured goods. These are essential elements for increasing Africa’s presence in export markets and accelerating the continent’s economic transformation.”

Mr. Stewart Makura, Managing Director of ATDC, added: “Fully leveraging Africa’s trade potential requires reliable systems capable of connecting producers, processors, manufacturers, and markets. This facility strengthens ATDC’s capacity to aggregate supply, mobilize necessary working capital, and ensure the efficient flow of goods throughout value chains.” “Alongside Afreximbank, we will help strengthen supply chains, foster value creation, promote import substitution, and expand intra-African trade.”

Beyond financing individual transactions, this facility will enable the ATDC to develop trade corridors that can be replicated on a larger scale and to enhance access to reliable supply and distribution networks across various African markets. It will help develop commercially viable trade flows, increase the processing of African commodities, and improve the regional availability of raw materials, inputs, and value-added products.