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More than 15,000 businesses across Africa have reportedly joined the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, marking what the pan-African banking group calls a landmark achievement for its flagship digital platform aimed at unlocking intra-African trade.
Ecobank Zambia Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Glenda Kamalata, said th:e onboarding of the of enterprises reflected a significant step forward, fostering deeper regional integration and unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, the Trade Hub, described by Kamalata as one of the continent’s largest digital networks supporting cross-border commerce, enables companies to find buyers, suppliers, distributors, and strategic partners outside their home markets.
“This milestone highlights the growing ambition of African businesses to move beyond the limitations of domestic markets and embrace the vast opportunities available across the continent,” she said.
Kamalata noted that enterprises were increasingly seeking new customers, trusted suppliers, efficient distributors, and strategic partners who can help them scale and compete regionally.
Momentum is being accelerated by the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which she said was dismantling barriers and opening unprecedented pathways for regional commerce.
“Within this evolving landscape, the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub has emerged as a pivotal catalyst. The platform not only connects businesses to the right partners but also equips them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in cross-border trade,” Kamalata said.
She said the rising participation shows a shift in mindset among African firms. Businesses are “no longer content with operating solely within national boundaries but are actively seeking to integrate into a broader continental marketplace.”
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Kamalata said AfCFTA was dismantling trade barriers, harmonizing regulations, and creating a unified framework that made cross-border commerce more accessible and efficient.
She said in that context, the Trade Hub served as a vital enabler, offering a trusted digital ecosystem where businesses can discover new opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and build strategic alliances.
“By bridging gaps between markets and industries, the platform is helping enterprises transform ambition into sustainable growth, while contributing to the vision of a more connected and resilient African economy,” Kamalata added.
She noted that since its launch, the Trade Hub had allowed companies to discover opportunities outside their home markets, access AfCFTA resources, and showcase products and services to a wider audience.
“For many businesses, having the right connections is just as important as having access to finance. The steady growth of the Trade Hub shows Ecobank’s commitment to helping African enterprises expand, strengthen supply chains, and reach new markets,” Kamalata said.
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