Afreximbank’s Africa Trade Gateway has facilitated a $5.3‑million fuel import into Zimbabwe, marking the platform’s first energy‑sector transaction in southern Africa and underscoring its growing role in supporting cross‑border trade.
The deal enabled Witeva Trading to source gasoil from a Swiss supplier, with Innbucks Microbank acting as the local issuing institution and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) providing confirmation support under an agreed trade‑finance structure.
Afreximbank said the transaction shows how African businesses can use a single connected digital ecosystem to identify commercial opportunities, link with verified counterparties and secure trade‑finance support more efficiently.
The Gateway connected the buyer, supplier and participating financial institutions, allowing the deal to be executed through one platform.
The transaction is also a milestone for Innbucks Microbank, which completed its first deal through the Africa Trade Gateway.
Afreximbank officials said the growing network of businesses and banks using the system is strengthening trust and expanding opportunities for future trade.
Peter Olowononi, Afreximbank’s Director for Regional Operations in Southern Africa, said the deal demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through a unified digital ecosystem.
Emeka Onyia, Director for Digital Business, described the Gateway as an enabler of trade rather than just a platform, saying each successful transaction attracts new participants and expands the marketplace.
JN/APA