Online Reporter
Business Reporter
The Africa Trade and Distribution Company Limited (ATDC), a subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has signed agreements to establish national trade and distribution platforms in Zimbabwe and Malawi, marking a significant step in efforts to strengthen regional value chains and expand intra-African trade.
National ATDC Zimbabwe has been formed as a joint venture between ATDC and CBZ Agro Yield, a member of CBZ Holdings Ltd, while National ATDC Malawi will operate as a partnership between ATDC and Press Corporation Plc, Malawi’s apex conglomerate.
The agreements were signed in Alamein, Egypt, on the sidelines of Afreximbank’s board meetings early this month. Mr Nikhil Poonevala, chief operating officer, signed on behalf of ATDC, with Mr Lawrence Nyazema, Group Chief Executive Officer of CBZ Holdings and Dr Ronald Mangani, Chief Executive Officer of Press Corporation Plc, signing for their respective institutions.
The launch follows the incorporation of ATDC Egypt earlier this year, bringing the total number of National ATDC entities to three, as the organisation advances its pan-African expansion strategy.
In Zimbabwe, the platform will concentrate on commodity aggregation, export development, market intelligence, warehousing, logistics, supplier-buyer linkages, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging exporters. It is expected to strengthen agricultural and industrial value chains, improve market access for Zimbabwean businesses, attract investment into productive sectors, and position Zimbabwe as a competitive export hub.
Speaking on the establishment of National ATDC Zimbabwe, Mr Wellington Mutizwa, General Manager of CBZ Agro Yield, said: “CBZ Agro Yield is pleased to partner with ATDC in establishing a platform that speaks directly to Zimbabwe’s productive potential. This partnership will help aggregate output, support producers with market access and logistics, and create stronger pathways for Zimbabwean products to reach regional and international markets. It is an important step in deepening export-led growth and expanding opportunities for farmers, SMEs and processors.”
The new platforms are designed to resolve persistent market fragmentation affecting small-scale producers, processors and emerging exporters by aggregating supply, improving access to market intelligence, facilitating logistics and warehousing, supporting trade finance, and linking African producers to regional and international buyers .
Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, described the signing as “another important milestone in Afreximbank’s strategy to build the trade infrastructure required to drive Africa’s transformation”. She added: “Through these partnerships, we are creating platforms that connect African producers to markets, facilitate trade financing and promote value addition. By working with strong local partners, we are laying the foundation for increased exports, industrialisation and local economic empowerment across the continent.”
ATDC Chief Executive Officer Mr Stewart Makura said: “ATDC is building the operating architecture for African trade. National ATDC Zimbabwe and National ATDC Malawi will allow us to combine local market knowledge with ATDC’s pan-African trading network, helping producers overcome scale, logistics and market-access constraints. These entities will be practical execution platforms for AfCFTA-aligned trade, value addition and regional value-chain development.”
According to Afreximbank’s 2026 Africa Trade Report, Africa’s merchandise trade expanded by 6,1 percent to approximately US$1,5 trillion, while intra-African trade grew by 5,5 percent to about US$213,8 billion. However, the report also highlights continuing constraints linked to trade finance gaps, infrastructure deficits, and limited value addition.
ATDC plans to operationalise seven national entities across Africa by the end of 2026, with further rollout planned for 2027, as part of its broader mandate to accelerate Africa’s industrialisation, promote local value addition, and support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area through commercially sustainable national trading platforms.
