The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has introduced a new blockchain-based digital platform aimed at fixing some of the biggest problems facing trade between African countries.
The platform, called the AfCFTA Digital Trade and Payments Platform (ADAPT), is designed to make cross-border trade faster, cheaper, and more transparent. AfCFTA officials say it will help businesses move goods across borders with less paperwork, fewer delays, and clearer payment processes.
Despite the free trade agreement being active, trade within Africa remains limited. Businesses still struggle with slow customs clearance, different trade rules across countries, and expensive or unreliable payment systems. These challenges often make it easier to trade with Europe or Asia than with neighbouring African countries. ADAPT is meant to address those gaps directly.
At its core, the platform uses blockchain technology to create secure and shared digital records for trade documents and transactions. This allows customs agencies, regulators, and businesses to verify information in real time rather than relying on paper documents that can be lost, delayed, or manipulated.
AfCFTA says the system will not replace national trade or payment systems. Instead, it is designed to connect with existing infrastructure, allowing countries to maintain control over their own rules while participating in a shared continental trade network.
One of the main goals of ADAPT is to support small and medium-sized businesses, which make up the bulk of African traders. These businesses are often the hardest hit by border delays and unclear payment processes. Faster verification and more reliable trade records could help them access financing, build trust with partners in other countries, and expand beyond their local markets.
AfCFTA officials have described the platform as a long-term investment in Africa’s trade infrastructure rather than a short-term technology experiment. By embedding digital systems into the trade process, the bloc hopes to make the free trade agreement work in practice, not just on paper.
However, success will depend on how well the platform is adopted. Countries will need to align regulations, train customs and regulatory agencies, and encourage businesses to use the system. Without coordination and consistent enforcement, the benefits of the platform may be limited.
If widely adopted, ADAPT could mark a shift in how blockchain is used across Africa, moving it beyond isolated pilots toward practical systems that support everyday economic activity. For AfCFTA, the platform represents a step toward turning Africa’s trade ambitions into a functioning, connected market.
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