Why Now Is the Time to Join the Intra-Africa Trade Revolution

How AMBESA is Building the Infrastructure for a Borderless African Marketplace

Africa Is Trading. Are You?

Across the continent, a silent revolution is underway. Small businesses are growing. Borders are loosening. Markets are awakening. Africa — long seen as the world’s supplier of raw materials — is now trading with itself. And this movement isn’t coming. It’s already begun.

The question is: are you part of it?

At the heart of this revolution is a new breed of entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, and manufacturers who believe that Africa should trade with Africa — directly, fairly, and digitally.

This is where AMBESA.com steps in.

Intra-African Trade: The Sleeping Giant

Despite having a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion (Source: World Bank – Africa Region Overview), intra-African trade still accounts for just 15% of the continent’s total trade (Source: African Union – AfCFTA Overview) — compared to over 60% in Europe and Asia. That means African businesses are still more likely to trade with global markets than with their neighbors. 

But that’s changing — fast.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the largest free trade zone in the world by number of participating countries. It’s tearing down tariffs and enabling the free movement of goods, services, and people across Africa’s 54 countries.

Add to that the rise of mobile money, cross-border fintech solutions, and digital marketplaces like AMBESA.com, and you get the perfect recipe for transformation. Over 600 million registered mobile money accounts in Africa; M-PESA still dominant in East Africa. (Source: GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2023). UNCTAD highlights Africa as the next frontier for e-commerce development due to its youthful population and mobile penetration.

The Challenges African Businesses Still Face

For millions of small and medium-sized African vendors, the opportunity is massive — but so are the challenges:

• Logistics nightmares: Costly, unreliable, or nonexistent delivery systems
• Payment barriers: Global platforms don’t support localized methods like M-PESA
• High fees: Many marketplaces charge high commissions or upfront listing fees
• No visibility: African vendors are often drowned out in global platforms
• Limited onboarding support: Many lack the time or tech knowledge to list products effectively

These are not small problems. They are the exact reasons why many African businesses never scale beyond local reach. (Source: International Trade Centre SME Competitiveness Outlook)

Where AMBESA Comes In: Powering Access, Not Just E-commerce

AMBESA.com was created with one bold mission: To power Pan-African trade — by Africans, for Africans.

We’re not just building a marketplace. We’re building a bridge between nations, cultures, and business models — all on one platform. Here's how:

• Digital-first logistics: We offer fulfillment partnerships and drop-shipping support
• Localized payments: From M-PESA to Pesapal, we make it easy to pay and get paid
• Zero listing fees (first five products): Lowering friction for African SMEs
• Onboarding support: Need help uploading your products? We’ve got you.
• Built for B2B: AMBESA connects wholesalers, manufacturers, and buyers in a way global platforms can’t

Our platform is tailored for African trade realities, removing the complexities that have kept our entrepreneurs out of the digital revolution.

The Movement: #AfricaMeansBusiness

This is bigger than a platform. It’s a movement to redefine African trade.

Through our campaign — #AfricaMeansBusiness — we’re calling on entrepreneurs, creators, exporters, and innovators across Africa to rise and claim their space in the continent’s growing economy.

We believe:

Trade without barriers. Opportunity without borders. The future of African trade is local, digital, and decentralized.

The Opportunity Is Now

This is your chance to:

• Grow your business beyond borders
• Connect with trusted buyers and sellers across the continent
• Gain visibility without the heavy costs of traditional platforms
• Be part of a digital future that puts African businesses first

Don’t Watch the Revolution. Join It.

Whether you’re a small vendor in Nairobi, a distributor in Lagos, or a manufacturer in Accra — AMBESA is built for you.

• List your products
• Tap into Pan-African logistics
• Receive payments easily
• Reach buyers who believe in African excellence

Start selling today at www.ambesa.com