Why Africa’s digital trade engine needs a unified gear

• Africa’s digital trade economy remains hampered by infrastructure bottlenecks, fragmented logistics, and procurement inefficiencies despite its huge potential.
• Experts say to tap its potential, there is need to shift from scattered digital projects to comprehensive ecosystems that support the full trade cycle.
• One of the tools that look promising is Matta, a transformative platform aimed at enabling sustainable industrial economies across the continent.

A quiet shift is reshaping Africa’s digital trade economy; an ecosystem which analysts project is valued up to $180 billion. Fueled by the power of digital platforms and backed by continental policy frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the continent is on the cusp of unlocking a projected $180 billion digital economy this year.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global trade reached an unprecedented $33 trillion in 2024. Within this surge, developing economies, particularly in Africa, are playing an increasingly vital role.

As regional integration accelerates, the continent’s 1.3 billion population and $3.4 trillion GDP present unparalleled opportunities for intra-African commerce. Yet, infrastructure bottlenecks, fragmented logistics, and procurement inefficiencies continue to hamper progress.

The potential in Africa’s digital trade economy

Across economies, the uptake of digital trade is redefining how businesses source, move, and manage the exchange of goods between neighbouring countries. According to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, “The continent’s digital economy is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025, up from $115 billion in 2020. It is transforming the continent’s economic landscape, creating new opportunities for real economic growth, productive job creation, and poverty reduction.”

To harness this potential, there is a clear need to shift from scattered digital projects to comprehensive ecosystems that support the full trade cycle—from procurement and financing to delivery and payment. And leading this charge is Matta, Africa’s integrated industrial trade platform.

Matta: Building Africa’s First Integrated Digital Trade Ecosystem

Matta is a transformative platform aimed at enabling sustainable industrial economies across the continent. Developed by entrepreneur Mudiaga Mowoe, Matta combines three essential tools: the Matta digital marketplace, the Flux logistics management tool, and the soon-to-be-launched Oxide Finance—a cross-border trade finance and payments platform.

Together, they create a unified ecosystem that offers manufacturers and suppliers a seamless way to manage sourcing, logistics, and settlement. “Building on this rapid expansion, our focus must shift from isolated digital initiatives to a fully integrated ecosystem,” says Mowoe.

He adds; “Matta enables manufacturers to navigate sourcing headaches and suppliers to manage cross-border complexities with confidence. This holistic approach transforms digital trade’s potential into tangible, inclusive economic growth.”

Far from replacing traditional networks, Matta amplifies existing trade relationships by introducing visibility, traceability, and efficiency—three pillars essential for industrial competitiveness in Africa.

Africa’s digital trade use cases

The sectors standing to benefit from this evolution are diverse. From food and beverage to home care, agro-processing, paints and coatings, automotive assembly, construction, and textiles, industries across the continent are seeking innovative solutions to persistent challenges. These include delayed procurement cycles, unreliable delivery timelines, and outdated payment systems.

Matta’s digital marketplace connects manufacturers directly with verified suppliers of raw materials, while its logistics arm ensures dependable movement of goods, and the Oxide Finance solution will simplify complex trade payments—critical in regions with currency fluctuations and regulatory hurdles.

The result is not only improved business continuity but also a level playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate meaningfully in industrial value chains.

Spotlight on West Africa

West Africa, with its youthful population and strategic location, is particularly well positioned to leverage digital trade for industrial development. As the region seeks to become a competitive manufacturing hub, digital tools are proving indispensable in addressing systemic gaps.

These conversations are set to take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (IMT) Summit and Exhibition, scheduled for October 21–23, 2025. This high-level forum will bring together government officials, investors, manufacturers, and tech innovators to shape policy frameworks and investment strategies that can accelerate the region’s transformation.

Matta is among the key players expected at the summit. The platform’s leadership will showcase how integrated digital ecosystems can scale industrial capabilities while fostering cross-border trade in real-time.

Why integration is vital

Digital platforms like Matta are not just poised to solve singular problems—they are building the foundation for a resilient, interconnected trade environment. By addressing procurement inefficiencies, logistics delays, and opaque payment systems in one stroke, these platforms are dramatically reducing transaction friction.

“By integrating these functionalities on a single platform, we’re helping businesses cut costs, reduce timelines, and gain access to markets that were previously out of reach,” says Mowoe.

In a region where border formalities and inconsistent regulatory standards have often hindered intra-African trade, platforms that streamline compliance and create real-time transaction visibility are proving revolutionary.

As Africa forges its own development path, the role of digital trade will only intensify. Governments must now align policy with innovation by promoting data governance frameworks, incentivizing digital infrastructure investments, and ensuring equitable access to digital tools for enterprises of all sizes.

If properly nurtured, the digital economy could become one of the continent’s most important engines for growth, inclusivity, and sustainability. The shift is already underway—what remains is the collective will to scale.

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