Afreximbank platform powers Zim firm's landmark US$5,3m fuel deal

By Business Reporter | Jul 23, 2026 | 2 Min read

Peter Olowononi, Afreximbank's director of regional operations for Southern Africa

A Zimbabwean fuel importer has completed a landmark US$5,3 million cross-border gasoil transaction through Afreximbank's Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), marking the platform's first energy-sector trade in Southern Africa and showcasing how digital trade ecosystems are unlocking finance and streamlining cross-border commerce.

The deal involved Zimbabwe's Witeva Trading, a Switzerland-based commodity supplier, Innbucks Microbank and Afreximbank. Witeva sourced a shipment of gasoil from the Swiss supplier, with Innbucks Microbank acting as the local issuing financial institution and Afreximbank providing confirmation support under an agreed trade finance structure.

It was Innbucks Microbank's first completed transaction on the platform and ATG's first recorded energy-sector deal in Southern Africa, highlighting the growing adoption of digital trade solutions across the continent.

Peter Olowononi, Afreximbank's director of regional operations for Southern Africa, said the transaction showed the value of connecting African businesses and financial institutions through a single digital trade ecosystem.

"By creating a digital ecosystem to expand access to trade finance, Afreximbank is enabling more businesses to participate more easily in regional and international trade," he said.

Emeka Onyia, Afreximbank's director of digital business, said the ATG was more than a platform — it's the ecosystem that makes trade happen.

"We help businesses discover opportunities, connect with trusted buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and facilitate the journey from commercial opportunity to completed transaction," he said. "Every successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants and creates more opportunities for African trade."

The ATG allows businesses to discover commercial opportunities, connect with verified counterparties, and access trade finance, payments, compliance, logistics and market intelligence through a single digital platform.