The African Import-Export Bank (Afreximbank) and the Africa Trading and Distribution Company (ATDC) have signed an agreement for a $500 million global credit facility. This facility aims to boost trade, circulation, and distribution of raw materials and products in African and global markets. The agreement was announced on September 21, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. The facility will enable ATDC to undertake eligible trade and distribution operations across the continent.
The credit facility will provide ATDC with the necessary financing to purchase and aggregate African products, as well as cover logistics, transportation, warehousing, and distribution costs. This will provide ATDC with the financial resources needed for various stages of the trade and distribution chain. ATDC will use the funds for eligible trade, logistics, and distribution operations. The financing will be repaid from the proceeds generated by the sale of the financed goods.
According to Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, the $500 million credit facility demonstrates the bank's commitment to strengthening trade, logistics, and distribution infrastructure. This will help exploit the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The facility will facilitate the efficient distribution of "Made in Africa" products across the continent, deepening regional value chains and expanding market access for African producers.
The facility will also stimulate exports of manufactured products and promote the AfCFTA's vision of a more integrated and industrialized African economy. It will 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. This will increase Africa's presence in export markets and accelerate the continent's economic transformation.
Stewart Makura, CEO of ATDC, stated that harnessing Africa's commercial potential requires reliable systems to connect producers, processors, industries, and markets. The facility will enhance ATDC's ability to aggregate supply, mobilize necessary working capital, and ensure efficient circulation of goods throughout value chains. ATDC, alongside Afreximbank, will contribute to strengthening supply chains, promoting value creation, and developing intra-African trade.
The facility will enable ATDC to develop scalable trade corridors and enhance access to reliable supply and distribution networks in various African markets. This will promote commercially viable trade flows, increase the processing of African raw materials, and improve the availability of raw materials, inputs, and value-added products at the regional level.
ATDC is a pan-African platform created to develop trade in Africa, accelerate industrialization through greater local valorization, and strengthen the continent's economic integration. The platform's activities have been launched in Egypt, Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, aiming to address trade and market intelligence gaps, facilitate access to outlets, and support the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Key points
- The $500 million credit facility will stimulate intra-African trade and distribution of raw materials and products.
- The facility will deepen regional value chains and expand market access for African producers.
- The agreement demonstrates Afreximbank's commitment to strengthening trade, logistics, and distribution infrastructure in Africa.
