The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has launched the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) as part of fresh efforts to grow trade in raw materials, minerals and value-added goods across the continent.
Afreximbank set up ATDC through its investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), in partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), Equitane DMCC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The new company has already secured a $1 billion funding commitment from Afreximbank to finance aggregation of value-added goods, logistics networks and the operations of its subsidiaries.
The official launch took place during the Intra-Africa Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria. The event was led by the President and Chairman of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, alongside Algeria’s acting Prime Minister, Mr Sifi Ghrieb, with ministers and senior officials from other African and Caribbean countries also present.
Professor Oramah said the new platform would help Africa reclaim control over its resources. “Africa is rich in resources, but historical trade patterns have pushed us to rely on others to add value to our commodities and minerals. With ATDC and its subsidiary ATDC Minerals (ATMIN), we aim to close that gap by ensuring more of the value chain happens in Africa, creating opportunities for our people,” he explained.
At the event, Afreximbank also unveiled ATDC Minerals (ATMIN), the flagship subsidiary that will focus on trading and financing minerals and hydrocarbons. ATMIN has already signed landmark agreements worth about $3 billion, including oil lifting arrangements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Roxzen Nigeria Limited.
ATDC is also building strong partnerships across the continent. It signed deals with Arise IIP to supply feedstock to industrial zones, and entered a co-investment agreement with BSMART Technology Limited to establish digital logistics hubs in key African ports. Other collaborations include trade arrangements with Export Trading Group (ETG), KK Kingdom Nigeria Limited and Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited.
In addition, ATDC is working with CBZ Holdings and the Nigeria Commodity Exchange to establish national ATDC branches in Zimbabwe and Nigeria. These new structures are expected to boost commodity trading and distribution within the AfCFTA framework.
By setting up ATDC, Afreximbank is moving to position Africa as a stronger player in global trade, while supporting industrialisation and regional value chains.
