The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has unveiled the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) with a $1 billion commitment to expand trade, processing, and logistics of goods across Africa. The initiative is designed to help reduce Africa's reliance on raw commodity exports by building stronger value chains that directly benefit local businesses, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
ATDC was set up through the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) in partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), Equitane DMCC, and the AfCFTA Secretariat. The launch took place at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, attended by African leaders and policymakers.
Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah said ATDC will "close the loop" on Africa's dependence on exporting raw materials by supporting integrated value chains that keep wealth within local economies. This means SMEs in agro-processing, light manufacturing, and logistics could have more opportunities to plug into regional and global trade networks.
A key part of the project is ATDC Minerals (ATMIN), a subsidiary focused on trading and financing minerals and hydrocarbons. ATMIN already announced deals worth $3 billion, including agreements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
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ATDC is also forming partnerships that will support smaller businesses, such as:
- Supplying feedstock to industrial zones through Arise IIP, opening new markets for agro-based SMEs.
- Digital logistics hubs with BSMART Technology in African ports, helping SMEs access faster and cheaper transport networks.
- Trade repos and co-investment opportunities with ETG, KK Kingdom Nigeria, and Sunbeth Global Concepts.
- Joint ventures with national institutions in Zimbabwe and Nigeria to establish country-level ATDC platforms, where SMEs can participate in trade, distribution, and value addition.
ATDC CEO Abdul Aziz Ba said the company would build a trading ecosystem that connects local businesses to global markets, while ATMIN CEO Ajay Oommen noted the importance of monetising Africa's resources before the global energy transition.
The IATF, co-hosted by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, continues to position itself as a platform for trade deals, partnerships, and SME growth across the continent.
