By Bamidele Famoofo
WorldStage– Africa Trade and Distribution Company Limited (ATDC), a subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has signed agreements to launch National ATDC Zimbabwe and National ATDC Malawi, advancing its strategy to build country-level trading, logistics and distribution platforms that strengthen African value chains and expand intra-African trade.
National ATDC Zimbabwe has been established as a joint venture between ATDC and CBZ Agro Yield, a member of CBZ Holdings Ltd. while ATDC Malawi will be a joint venture between ATDC and Press Corporation Plc, the apex conglomerate in Malawi.
The agreements were signed in Alamein, Egypt, on the sidelines of Afreximbank Board Meetings. Mr. Nikhil Poonevala, Chief Operating Officer, signed on behalf of ATDC while Messrs. Lawrence Nyazema, Group Chief Executive Officer, CBZ Holdings and Dr. Ronald Mangani, Chief Executive Officer of Press Corporation Plc signed on behalf of their respective institutions.
The launch of the Zimbabwe and Malawi platforms follows the incorporation of ATDC Egypt earlier this year, bringing the total number of National ATDC entities to three. In Zimbabwe, the platform will focus on commodity aggregation, export development, market intelligence, warehousing, logistics, supplier-buyer linkages, trade-related services and support for SMEs and emerging exporters. It is expected to strengthen agricultural and industrial value chains, improve market access for Zimbabwean businesses, attract investment into productive sectors and position Zimbabwe as a competitive export hub.
ATDC Malawi will focus on commodity trading, aggregation, warehousing, exports, strategic imports, structured trade finance, collateral management, cold chain and logistics infrastructure, value addition and trade intelligence. The platform is expected to strengthen Malawi’s commodity and manufacturing value chains, improve logistics efficiency, attract investment into trade-enabling infrastructure and create new market opportunities for local businesses.
The new platforms are designed to resolve persistent market fragmentation affecting small-scale producers, processors and emerging exporters by aggregating supply, improving access to market intelligence, facilitating logistics and warehousing, supporting trade finance and linking African producers to regional and international buyers. ATDC plans to operationalise seven national entities across Africa by the end of 2026, with further rollout planned for 2027.
Afreximbank’s 2026 Africa Trade Report notes that Africa’s merchandise trade expanded by 6.1 percent to approximately US$1.5 trillion, while intra-African trade grew by 5.5 percent to about US$213.8 billion. The report also highlights continuing constraints linked to trade finance gaps, infrastructure deficits and limited value addition, underscoring the need for commercially sustainable platforms that can turn regional integration into practical business flows.
The establishment of the two entities forms part of ATDC’s broader mandate to accelerate Africa’s industrialisation, promote local value addition and support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area through scalable, commercially sustainable national trading platforms.
Commenting on the signing, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said: “The signing of National ATDC Zimbabwe and National ATDC Malawi represents another important milestone in Afreximbank’s strategy to build the trade infrastructure required to drive Africa’s transformation. Through these partnerships, we are creating platforms that connect African producers to markets, facilitate trade financing and promote value addition. By working with strong local partners, we are laying the foundation for increased exports, industrialisation and local economic empowerment across the continent.”
Speaking on ATDC’s pan-African rollout strategy, Mr. Stewart Makura, Chief Executive Officer of ATDC, said: “ATDC is building the operating architecture for African trade. National ATDC Zimbabwe and National ATDC Malawi will allow us to combine local market knowledge with ATDC’s pan-African trading network, helping producers overcome scale, logistics and market-access constraints. These entities will be practical execution platforms for AfCFTA-aligned trade, value addition and regional value-chain development.”
Commenting on the establishment of National ATDC Zimbabwe, Mr. Wellington Mutizwa, General Manager, CBZ Agro Yield, said: “CBZ Agro Yield is pleased to partner with ATDC in establishing a platform that speaks directly to Zimbabwe’s productive potential. This partnership will help aggregate output, support producers with market access and logistics, and create stronger pathways for Zimbabwean products to reach regional and international markets. It is an important step in deepening export-led growth and expanding opportunities for farmers, SMEs and processors.”
Speaking on the launch of National ATDC Malawi, Dr. Ronald Mangani, Group Chief Executive Officer, Press Corporation Plc, said: “Press Corporation Plc’s partnership with ATDC brings together Malawi’s local commercial capacity and ATDC’s continental trading network. Through ATDC Malawi, we will support the aggregation, processing and movement of Malawian products into regional and global markets, while helping to build the infrastructure and services required for more competitive trade.”
In attendance were Prof. Benedict Oramah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ATDC; Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank & Board Member of ATDC; other Board Members of ATDC; Eng. Hani Sonbol, CEO, Int. Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), and Director of ATDC; and Senior Executives from Afreximbank, CBZ Agro Yield and Press Corporation Plc. Directors of Press Corporation Plc were also in attendance.
