Notre Mission

We are building the infrastructure of African trade

AfricaTrade connects African entrepreneurs to verified suppliers, simplifying import-export for everyone.

Our story

Born from frustration, driven by a vision

In 2020, Jean-Pierre Mbarga, a Cameroonian trader in Lagos, spent three months looking for a reliable wax fabric supplier. After several scams and defective deliveries, he wondered: "Why is it so difficult to trade between African countries?" This question became an obsession, then a mission. With Fatima and Kwame, he founded AfricaTrade with a simple idea: create the trust necessary for African trade. Today, our platform connects thousands of entrepreneurs to verified suppliers, with secure payments and integrated logistics. The African trade of tomorrow is being built here.

Our vision

The Africa we are building

We dream of an Africa where an entrepreneur from Douala can source products from Nairobi as easily as from Paris. Where trust replaces distrust. Where borders are no longer obstacles but opportunities.

Our values

What guides us daily

Trust

Trust is the foundation of all trade. We rigorously verify each supplier to ensure safe transactions.

Transparency

No hidden fees, no surprises. Our prices, processes and partners are 100% transparent.

Social Impact

Every transaction on AfricaTrade supports the local economy and creates jobs on the African continent.

Innovation

We use technology to simplify trade and make import-export accessible to everyone.

Community

More than a platform, AfricaTrade is a community of entrepreneurs who help each other grow.

Pan-Africanism

We believe in an economically united Africa, where borders are no longer barriers to trade.

The founding team

Complementary backgrounds, shared vision

JM

Jean-Pierre Mbarga

Founder & CEO

Former trader in Lagos, frustrated by the difficulties of B2B trade in Africa. 15 years of import-export experience.

Cameroon
FO

Fatima Ouattara

Co-founder & COO

Pan-African logistics expert. Led Bolloré Logistics operations in West Africa for 8 years.

Ivory Coast
KA

Kwame Asante

CTO

Software engineer from Google and Jumia. Passionate about tech for good and impact in Africa.

Ghana
Join the team

Our journey

From idea to reality

2020

The idea is born

Frustrated by the difficulty of finding reliable suppliers, our founder imagines a solution.

2021

First tests

Launch of an MVP with 10 suppliers in Cameroon. First positive feedback.

2022

Regional expansion

Opening to Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana. 50 verified suppliers.

2023

Fundraising

Seed round to accelerate development. Team grows to 8 people.

2024

Rapid growth

+180 verified suppliers, 12 countries, 2,800 active users.

2025

Goal 10,000

Heading for 10,000 users and East Africa.

Our impact

Numbers that matter

2,847
Entrepreneurs supported
180+
Verified suppliers
$1.4M
In transactions
340+
Jobs created indirectly

Our partners

They support our mission

Afreximbank
DHL Africa
Ecobank
Bolloré
Orange Money
BCEAO

Join the adventure

Whether you are a buyer, supplier or investor, there is a place for you in the AfricaTrade story.

Get started nowContact us