Afreximbank, a Pan-African multilateral financial institution established in 1993, is dedicated to promoting intra- and extra-African trade across its 53 African and 13 Caribbean member states.
The high-level workshop and launch event held at the Kigali Marriott Hotel brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, trade promotion agencies, private sector associations, and exporters and importers, to explore how digital platforms can accelerate trade growth and regional integration in Rwanda and beyond.
Themed 'Boosting Trade in Rwanda through the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG),' the event highlighted Afreximbank's commitment to supporting Rwanda's National Export Strategy II, Digital Transformation Strategy, and the country's broader ambition to become a regional hub for innovation, logistics, and trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A step toward digital trade integration
The launch event highlighted Afreximbank's continued dedication to facilitating trade through the ATG platform, a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to simplify cross-border trade, reduce costs, and improve transparency.
The platform was inaugurated by the Afreximbank on June 22, 2023, in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat. It offers integrated access to essential trade services such as trade finance, payment systems, due diligence services, and market intelligenceâ€"all of which align with Rwanda's priorities to enhance SME competitiveness, digital inclusion, and export diversification.
In his remarks, Emeka Onyia, Director of Digital Banking at Afreximbank, emphasised that the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) is crucial to transforming how African businesses interact. He noted that 90 banks across 35 countries and 9,000 verified companies are already trading on the platform.
'But I tell you this is not a vision anymore, this is a reality. ATG is live, and across Africa, right now, we have 90 banks accounting across 35 countries that have joined the ATG ecosystem. We have 9,000 verified companies that are trading...And to date, we have computed bills in excess of $200 million this year alone,' Onyia said.
At the same time, Onyia noted that Rwanda's strategic location and commitment to digital solutions position it as a leader in driving this transformation across the continent.
Rwanda's strategic role in the AfCFTA
The workshop also served as a platform to discuss how Rwanda's active participation in the AfCFTA can be supported by digital trade tools like the ATG. Dr. Alexis Kabayiza, Chief Technical Advisor to Rwanda's Ministry of Trade and Industry, highlighted Rwanda's role in regional trade integration.
He remarked that the government's digital transformation efforts, including the Rwanda Electronic Single Window and Umucyo e-procurement platform, have already streamlined trade processes within the country. With the introduction of the ATG, he noted that Rwanda aims to further enhance its digital infrastructure, making it a competitive trade hub in the region.
'To achieve the promise of AfCFTA, we must strengthen the enablers of trade, such as efficient payments, interoperable digital platforms, and harmonised regulatory frameworks. The Africa Trade Gateway is one of those innovations. It translates the AfCFTA vision into practical solutions and empowers businesses to connect, transact, and grow with confidence,' Dr. Kabayiza, who represented the Minister for Trade Prudence Sebahizi at the event, stated.
Boosting SME competitiveness
A key focus of the ATG platform is supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of Africa's economy. The workshop included dedicated sessions where SMEs could learn how to leverage the ATG to access financing, markets, and partnerships across the continent.
Afreximbank's initiative is in line with Rwanda's goal of fostering an environment that supports SMEs through digital solutions and increased access to trade finance.
Rwandan businesswoman Brigette Harrington, CEO of Igire Coffee, shared her experience with the audience, noting that the Africa Trade Gateway plays a critical role in helping businesses like hers navigate the complexities of cross-border trade.
'The duty, the world duty on this is 20%. Under AfCFTA, my customer is going to pay 2.5%. … It's about levelling the playing field so that when you ship your products from here to another African country, you can at least compete. … So, I think that the purpose of ATG is to provide a platform, like an e-commerce platform. Whereby, you can put, you can list your products on that platform and also list how a person purchases.' Harrington said.
Collaborative effort for future trade success
Afreximbank's collaboration with local institutions such as the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), and the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) was emphasised throughout the event.
The partnerships are integral to embedding the ATG platform within Rwanda's broader trade facilitation and investment promotion ecosystem.
Panel discussions focused on the importance of creating a harmonised regulatory framework and developing secure digital identities to further enhance the ease of doing business within the region.
The Africa Trade Gateway initiative builds on successful workshops held in Kenya and Ethiopia, where participants emphasised the central role of digital trade infrastructure in realising the AfCFTA's potential.
Rwanda's proactive approach to innovation and trade facilitation, combined with its strong commitment to digital inclusion, positions it as an ideal partner in Afreximbank's mission to deepen continental integration through digital transformation and inclusive trade.
As the workshop concluded, stakeholders voiced their optimism about the future of African trade, with the ATG providing the tools and infrastructure necessary to bridge the gap between Africa's potential and its trading realities.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
