With West Africa’s digital trade set to hit $180 billion, platforms like Matta are pioneering seamless ecosystems that connect sourcing, logistics, and payments.
Unlocking Africa’s $180 Billion Digital Trade Opportunity
Africa’s digital trade economy is poised for transformative growth. According to Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, digital trade is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025. In West Africa alone, informal cross-border trade accounts for nearly 30% of total trade volumes, a figure that underscores both the region’s economic potential and the urgent need for structured digital solutions.
As smartphone adoption accelerates and digital infrastructure improves, new platforms are emerging to bridge long-standing trade gaps—none more ambitious than Matta, a digital marketplace designed to unify fragmented supply chains across the continent.
Created to support sustainable economic growth across Africa, Matta’s integrated ecosystem connects every stage of the trade process—from sourcing to settlement. Today, this ecosystem includes the Matta digital marketplace and Flux, its logistics management tool. Soon, it will be joined by Oxide Finance, Matta’s forthcoming trade-financing and cross-border payments platform. Together, these tools empower manufacturers and suppliers across sectors such as food and beverage, home and personal care, paints and coatings, agro-processing, automotive assembly, textiles, and construction with a seamless, end-to-end solution for trade.
From Fragmentation to Integration
Historically, Africa’s informal trade networks have relied on a patchwork of local suppliers, independent transporters, and disconnected payment methods. This fragmentation not only increases costs but also exposes businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—to risks and inefficiencies.
“Building on this rapid expansion, our focus must shift from isolated digital initiatives to a fully integrated ecosystem that streamlines every step of trade—sourcing, supplying, logistics and payments,” says Mudiaga Mowoe, founder and chief executive officer, Matta.
Matta’s model answers this call for integration. The platform connects manufacturers and suppliers in real time, automating everything from inventory sourcing to last-mile delivery and payment processing. It offers end-to-end visibility—critical for businesses looking to scale beyond their local markets.
Cross-Border Trade, Real-Time Solutions
For African manufacturers and SMEs, expansion into new markets is often hindered by customs complications, lack of logistics infrastructure, and inconsistent payment systems. Matta’s platform offers a consolidated solution to these challenges.
“By integrating these functionalities on a single platform, Matta enables manufacturers to navigate sourcing headaches and suppliers to manage cross-border complexities with confidence and unlocks new markets in Africa in real time,” adds Mowoe.
This approach is particularly relevant in West Africa, where trade corridors are increasingly active yet remain digitally underserved. Through Matta, traders can reduce friction and risk, while accessing a broader network of verified partners.
Inclusive Growth Through Digital Innovation
The stakes for Africa’s digital trade future are high. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has laid the groundwork for deeper regional integration, but its success hinges on platforms that can turn policy into performance.
“This holistic approach is what will transform digital trade’s potential into tangible, inclusive economic growth across Africa,” says Mowoe.
By streamlining fragmented systems into a cohesive, tech-driven framework, Matta represents a crucial step toward realizing that vision—empowering businesses, reducing inefficiencies, and unlocking a continent’s economic promise.
For more stories of trade across Africa, visit our dedicated pages.
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