Afreximbank e Zep-Re lançam Aliança Transafricana de Títulos

Saturday, 29th March 2025

Por inAfrika Reporter

In a bold move to transform Africa’s trade landscape, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Zep-Re (PTA Reinsurance Company) have jointly launched the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA), a game-changing initiative aimed at bridging the insurance capacity gap, empowering African contractors, and driving cross-border trade efficiency under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Launched in Nairobi, the alliance seeks to harmonize trade practices across Africa’s borders, providing a standardised framework that ensures the secure, predictable, and cost-effective movement of goods. By deploying mechanisms such as transit bonds, performance bonds, and standby letters of credit (SBLCs), TABA offers a robust solution to the longstanding logistical and financial barriers hindering intra-African commerce.

The launch comes at a critical time, as over 16 landlocked African countries struggle with complex customs requirements and costly logistics. The African Development Bank notes that transport costs in some regions are so high they often exceed the value of the goods themselves. TABA aims to resolve this challenge by enabling businesses to move goods from Cape Town to Cairo using a single transit bond—eliminating multiple national bond requirements, reducing delays, and boosting trade competitiveness.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Veronica M. Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community, emphasized that the alliance fits seamlessly into regional integration goals. “The East African Community has long been committed to fostering regional integration and economic development… The establishment of TABA aligns with our regional integration program, which aims to enhance cross-border trade, reduce trade costs, and promote economic growth.”

Mr. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, framed the alliance as a continental response to rising global protectionism. “Today we forge a new alliance to dismantle artificial barriers… Our goal is not to displace local operators but to boost the capacity and efficiency of interstate transit regimes, paving the way for a continental framework under AfCFTA.”

Ms. Hope Murera, Managing Director and CEO of Zep-Re, echoed this sentiment, calling TABA a “shared vision” that moves Africa from fragmented systems to a cohesive network of opportunity. “We are not just unveiling a new partnership—we are ushering in a new era… ZEP-RE’s experience through regional programs demonstrates what is possible when vision meets action.”

With over 110 land borders across the continent, the implementation of a unified transit guarantee mechanism under TABA is poised to revolutionize the way African nations do business. The alliance will provide secure guarantees for customs, help governments reduce illicit trade, and strengthen revenue collection while encouraging businesses to expand into new markets with confidence.

Following the launch, stakeholders will participate in B2B sessions and strategy workshops to chart the operational rollout of TABA across various regions. Awareness campaigns will also be initiated to inform businesses and financial institutions of the system’s benefits.

TABA represents a new chapter in Africa’s journey toward a truly integrated and competitive trade environment—one defined not by barriers but by bridges of opportunity.