Firms partner to boost digital trade under AfCFTA

Chii.africa, Zimo Clan and Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Federation Limited have announced a strategic integration initiative aimed at expanding digital commerce, cooperative participation and cross-border market access across Africa. The organisations disclosed this in a joint statement issued on May 31, saying the collaboration is designed to support farmers, traders, cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), […]

Chii.africa, Zimo Clan and Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Federation Limited have announced a strategic integration initiative aimed at expanding digital commerce, cooperative participation and cross-border market access across Africa.

The organisations disclosed this in a joint statement issued on May 31, saying the collaboration is designed to support farmers, traders, cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), commodity aggregators and entrepreneurs seeking to participate in the continent’s growing digital economy.

According to the statement, the initiative aligns with objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital trade infrastructure development and efforts to strengthen cross-border payment systems, including alignment with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The partners said the integrated ecosystem would combine Chii.africa’s trade intelligence and coordination platform, Zimo Clan’s community network and Maistrade’s cooperative development structure to facilitate trade participation and market access.

Under the arrangement, the platform is expected to support cooperative and SME onboarding, digital identity and verification systems, trade traceability, agricultural and commodity marketplace participation, cross-border trade coordination, cooperative finance structures and community-based economic activities.

The statement noted that participants on the ChiiMais platform would have access to a network of producers, buyers, traders, service providers and ecosystem partners operating across various African markets.

The organisations said the initiative seeks to create opportunities for farmers through market visibility and aggregation networks, while traders and SMEs are expected to benefit from improved access to structured value chains and regional markets.

They added that the collaboration would also focus on digital trust and traceability through product verification, supplier validation, transparent record management and digital trade coordination.

President and Chief Vision Officer of Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Federation Limited, Benjamin Okei Aduli, said the partnership was intended to support trade networks, digital infrastructure and economic participation across the continent.

Also commenting, Architect of Chii.africa, Tauya Langton Makoni, said the collaboration aims to strengthen trade coordination and interoperability among African communities and businesses.

The partners disclosed that onboarding activities have commenced through the Zimo Clan and ChiiMais platforms, with plans to expand operations into additional African markets through partnerships and cooperative networks.