The African Export-Import Bank has launched the African Trade and Distribution Company to boost large-scale trade in raw materials, minerals, and value-added products across Africa.
ATDC was established through Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa in partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, Equitane DMCC, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
Afreximbank has committed $1 billion to support ATDC’s operations, including product aggregation, logistics, and financing its subsidiaries. According to Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, the initiative will help Africa reclaim control over its resources. “Africa is rich in resources, but historical dynamics have skewed our trade outwards. Traditionally, the continent has relied on others to add value to its commodities and minerals as well as to trade them. Through ATDC and ATMIN, we aim to close the loop and to take back control of how our commodities and minerals in global Africa are produced and traded across value chains by integrating them in local economies to benefit more people.”
ATDC’s flagship subsidiary, ATDC Minerals, was unveiled during the launch event at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair 2025 in Algiers, Algeria. ATMIN focuses on trading and financing minerals and hydrocarbons. ATDC has signed several deals with firms across the continent, including logistics, minerals, and agricultural produce.
Some of the partnerships include:
– Collaboration with Arise IIP to supply feedstock to special economic zones
– Co-investment partnership with BSMART Technology Limited to establish digitally integrated logistics hubs
– Agreements with Export Trading Group, KK Kingdom Nigeria Ltd, and Sunbeth Global Concepts Ltd for agricultural and commodity trade
– Joint ventures with CBZ Holdings and Nigeria Commodity Exchange to establish national ATDC branches in Zimbabwe and Nigeria
ATMIN announced landmark deals worth about $3 billion, including oil lifting arrangements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Roxzen Nigeria Limited.
