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The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Africa Trading and Distribution Company (ATDC) have signed a $500 million Global Credit Facility aimed at strengthening trade, logistics and distribution networks across Africa and international markets.

The financing agreement is expected to support the movement of commodities and manufactured products across the continent while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

ATDC, a pan-African trading platform established to deepen trade and accelerate industrialisation through local value addition, currently operates in Egypt, Nigeria, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The company focuses on addressing trade and market intelligence gaps, improving market access and supporting regional economic integration.

Under the agreement, Afreximbank will provide trade-finance support to enable ATDC to scale trading and distribution activities across Africa. The facility will finance the purchase and aggregation of African goods, as well as logistics, transportation, warehousing and distribution costs throughout the trade cycle.

According to the partners, repayments under the facility will be tied to proceeds generated from the sale of goods financed through the programme.

Speaking on the deal, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, said the facility reflects the bank's commitment to building the trade infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA.

She said the financing would facilitate the distribution of "Made-in-Africa" products, strengthen regional value chains, expand market access for producers and increase manufactured exports across the continent.

"The $500 million Global Credit Facility extended to ATDC underscores Afreximbank's commitment to strengthening the trade, logistics and distribution architecture required to realise the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area," Awani said.

She added that the initiative would enhance the global competitiveness of African products and support the continent's transition towards becoming a major exporter of value-added and manufactured goods.

ATDC Chief Executive Officer Stewart Makura described the facility as a critical tool for improving supply chain efficiency and supporting business growth across African markets.

"Realising Africa's full trade potential requires reliable systems that connect producers, processors, manufacturers and markets," Makura said.

He noted that the financing would enable ATDC to aggregate supply more effectively, mobilise working capital and move goods efficiently along value chains, while supporting value addition, import substitution and increased intra-African trade.

Beyond financing individual transactions, the facility is expected to help ATDC establish sustainable trade corridors and expand sourcing and distribution networks across the continent. The partners said the initiative would encourage greater processing of African commodities and improve the availability of raw materials, industrial inputs and value-added products within regional markets.

The agreement comes as African governments, financial institutions and businesses intensify efforts to leverage the AfCFTA to drive industrialisation, expand regional commerce and reduce the continent's dependence on imports.