The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the East African Business Council (EABC) have strengthened their partnership to expand digital trade opportunities for businesses across East Africa. Through the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), the initiative aims to link regional enterprises to the 300 million-strong East African Community (EAC) Common Market and the broader 1.3 billion-consumer African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.
The partnership was formalized through the ceremonial signing of the ATG Agency Agreement during the inaugural East Africa CEO & Investment Forum, held on 17–18 September 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Under the agreement, the EABC will act as an onboarding agent for the platform. By combining the EABC’s regional business network with ATG’s digital suite, the collaboration assists companies in locating verified buyers and suppliers, reviewing prospective trading partners, and accessing essential financial and payment solutions.
Emeka Onyia, Director of Digital Business and Innovation at Afreximbank, highlighted the platform’s role in streamlining cross-border commercial transactions.
“The Africa Trade Gateway is Africa’s digital trade ecosystem; it connects businesses with the partners and services they need to trade,” said Onyia. “We help companies identify opportunities, engage with trusted buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions, and turn those connections into complete transactions. Each successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants, and creates even greater opportunities for African businesses.”
Onyia noted that while many regional companies recognize market potential outside their domestic borders, identifying verified partners remains a key barrier. The collaboration seeks to mitigate these challenges, allowing East African enterprises to enter foreign markets with higher confidence.
Complementing the platform’s digital capabilities, the EABC is providing local businesses with technical guidance on AfCFTA market opportunities, Rules of Origin, tariff concessions, customs procedures, and export readiness requirements. By connecting enterprises directly to the ATG, the EABC aims to facilitate business-to-business matchmaking and trade finance access to boost intra-African commerce.