Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza, Senior Business Reporter
CBZ Bank says the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)’s Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) platform aligns with its medium and long-term vision to transform trade finance in Zimbabwe.
Established in 2023, the ATG is a digital platform designed to accelerate the implementation of intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
This digital trade window integrates five platforms into a single interface, enhancing the bank’s capacity to support continental free trade.
ATG Connect links business service providers across Africa, offering freight and logistics connectivity solutions that enable seamless matching of freight and logistics requests with providers listed on the platform.
CBZ has been actively driving growth in trade finance, recognising its importance in fostering economic development.
Speaking at the ATG Onboarding Walkthrough Breakfast Meeting in Harare yesterday, Mr Phibeon Mutibura, an executive in corporate banking at CBZ Bank, described the ATG as more than just a platform — calling it a gateway to a new era of trade efficiency, scalability, transparency and inclusivity.
“For us as a bank, the ATG is not just another digital platform; it is a strategic enabler that aligns with our medium- and long-term vision to transform trade finance and position our clients for success in a rapidly evolving marketplace,” he said.
Mr Mutibura added that ATG digitises the entire trade value chain — from documentation and compliance checks to payment processing and settlement — reducing manual intervention and errors.
“Our goal is to provide a seamless, intuitive and secure experience, and ATG also allows us to integrate our trade finance products into a single digital ecosystem,” he said.
He further emphasised that ATG is a practical tool for operationalising the AfCFTA by connecting businesses across borders and harmonising trade processes.
Mr Mutibura noted that Africa is at a pivotal moment with the AfCFTA now in motion, under which Zimbabwe is a member.
“We have a historic opportunity to unlock a single market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than US$3 trillion. But to fully realise this potential, we must overcome long-standing barriers, chief among them fragmented markets, high transaction costs and limited access to trade finance,” he said.
He also pointed out that as trade volumes increase, manual processes become bottlenecks. ATG offers scalability, enabling the bank to handle higher transaction volumes without compromising speed or security.
Mr Mutibura said ATG brings together banks, regulators, logistics providers and businesses on one platform, creating a collaborative environment that benefits all stakeholders.
“ATG connects customers to a trusted network of importers, exporters and service providers across Africa and beyond, opening doors to new markets without the need for physical presence.
“While mainly focused on Africa, ATG also links to international trade corridors, enabling users to source competitively and sell globally,” he said.
He added that the platform provides market intelligence by offering access to real-time data on trade flows, pricing trends and demand patterns to support informed decision-making.
It also tracks trade activities, identifies bottlenecks and optimises supply chains.
“We have a historic opportunity to unlock a single market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than US$3 trillion. But to fully realise this potential, we must overcome long-standing barriers, chief among them fragmented markets, high transaction costs and limited access to trade finance,” Mr Mutibura reiterated.
