In a move that signals Africa's growing digital trade ambition, the Africa Trade Gateway ATG has officially launched its national adoption awareness initiative in Rwanda. Announced on 14 October 2025 in Kigali, the campaign marks a pivotal step towards accelerating intra-African trade and deepening continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA.
Developed by the African Export-Import Bank Afreximbank in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Africa Trade Gateway is described as a one-stop digital trade ecosystem that connects buyers, sellers, financial institutions and logistics providers across the continent. Its core purpose is to help businesses find trusted trading partners, secure trade finance, make cross-border payments and access new markets with confidence. By bringing these functions together within a single digital platform, ATG aims to scale up intra-African trade, promote economic integration and create jobs-particularly at a time when intra-African trade remains relatively modest, accounting for less than 15 of the continent's total trade.
Rwanda's selection as the launch market for the national adoption awareness initiative is significant. Positioned as one of Africa's leading digital innovation hubs, the country has already aligned its trade, industry and digital strategies with the AfCFTA vision. Speaking at the launch event, Alexis Kabayiza, Chief Technical Adviser at Rwanda's Ministry of Trade and Industry, noted: "The Africa Trade Gateway represents more than technology it symbolises Africa's readiness to define its own digital destiny. Let us ensure that digital trade becomes a cornerstone of industrialisation, inclusion and resilience."