Africa's trade finance gap remains one of the continent's biggest barriers to economic growth, with estimates placing the shortfall at between US$90 billion and US$120 billion annually. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of African economies, are among the most affected due to high transaction costs, complex documentation requirements, and limited access to financing.

As global trade finance banks continue to scale back their presence in Africa amid increasing compliance and regulatory costs, Equity is stepping forward with a digitally enabled approach designed to make trade finance more accessible, efficient, and sustainable for businesses across the continent.

Speaking during the Global Trade Review (GTR) East Africa 2026 conference in Nairobi, Equity Group Director of Trade Finance, Brendan du Preez, highlighted how the bank is leveraging technology not simply as a tool for automation, but as a catalyst for transforming the entire trade finance ecosystem.

Turning paper into data

Trade finance remains heavily reliant on paper-based processes, creating significant administrative burdens for both banks and businesses. Equity's strategy focuses on converting documentation into actionable data as early as possible within the trade finance process.

"When information becomes data, verification and review can be automated through business rules, allowing teams to focus only on exceptions that require human intervention," said du Preez.

This shift significantly reduces manual processing, accelerates transaction turnaround times, and improves the overall client experience, particularly for businesses requiring frequent trade finance support.

Driving efficiency through digitisation

For Equity, digitisation is about creating tangible value for customers rather than simply reducing operational costs.

The bank is using digital tools to streamline documentary trade processes, automate sanctions screening, strengthen risk management controls, and improve compliance workflows. These efficiencies enable higher transaction volumes without corresponding increases in operational resources, creating a scalable model capable of supporting growing trade flows across Africa.

Importantly, these gains are making smaller trade finance transactions commercially viable, opening opportunities for SMEs that have historically struggled to access trade finance solutions.

"Digital efficiency is what allows trade finance to scale sustainably, particularly within the SME segment," noted du Preez.

From financing businesses to financing ecosystems

Equity's trade finance strategy extends beyond supporting individual clients. The bank has adopted an ecosystem approach that considers the entire value chain surrounding a business.

Rather than focusing solely on a single borrower, Equity provides solutions that support suppliers, buyers, employees, and trading partners through integrated services that include traditional trade finance, structured trade, supply chain finance, treasury and foreign exchange solutions, cash management, and broader working capital support.

This broader approach is increasingly aligned with market demand, as corporates seek banking partners capable of supporting entire supply chains rather than isolated transactions.

"At Equity, we do not simply look at an individual client's needs. We focus on both the upstream and downstream value chains to create sustainable financing solutions," explained du Preez.

Building connected trade ecosystems through APIs

A key enabler of this transformation is the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which allow trade finance services to be embedded directly into clients' operational systems.

Through API-enabled ecosystems, financing can be deployed precisely when and where it is needed, while real-time sanctions screening, compliance checks, and trade monitoring enhance risk management capabilities.

This connectivity also allows Equity to integrate complementary services such as foreign exchange, insurance, and supply chain financing into a seamless customer experience.

"APIs have the potential to transform financial institutions from financiers into ecosystem orchestrators," said du Preez.

Delivering faster access to finance

While digitisation does not necessarily increase the amount of funding available, it significantly improves the speed and efficiency with which businesses can access trade finance solutions.

For traders operating in fast-moving markets, the ability to secure financing quickly can be the difference between capturing an opportunity and missing it altogether.

By simplifying processes and reducing friction, Equity is helping businesses access the support they need when they need it, while keeping costs manageable and enhancing service delivery.

Supporting Africa's trade future

As African trade continues to expand through regional integration initiatives and growing intra-African commerce, the need for efficient, accessible trade finance solutions has never been greater.

Equity's focus on digital trade finance capabilities demonstrates how African financial institutions can bridge financing gaps, strengthen value chains, and empower businesses to participate more effectively in regional and global markets.

The future of trade finance in Africa will not be defined solely by access to capital, but by the ability to deliver that capital efficiently, intelligently, and at scale. Through its digital-first and ecosystem-driven approach, Equity is helping shape that future.