Partners Launch ChiiMais Initiative To Link Producers, Buyers Under AfCFTA

Chii.africa, Zimo Clan and Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Federation Limited have formed a partnership to support digital commerce, cooperative participation and cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The collaboration will link Chii.africa’s trade intelligence infrastructure, Zimo Clan’s community network and Maistrade’s cooperative development work to support farmers, traders, cooperatives, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), commodity aggregators and entrepreneurs.

A statement in Abuja said the initiative aims to strengthen digital market access, trade traceability, cooperative finance arrangements and cross-border trade coordination, aligning with AfCFTA and the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The partners plan to operate an integrated ecosystem through the ChiiMais platform to connect producers, buyers, traders, service providers and other partners across African markets.

Planned functions include cooperative and SME onboarding, digital identity and verification, product traceability, participation in agricultural marketplaces and savings coordination.

The statement said farmers could gain greater market visibility and access to verified trade opportunities, while traders and cooperatives could access structured value chains, digital management tools and wider market connections.

A component of the partnership involves developing trade verification infrastructure intended to support product authentication, supplier credibility, record management and digital trade coordination.

Benjamin Okei Aduli, President and Chief Vision Officer of Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Federation Limited, said the collaboration is intended to increase participation of producers, traders and SMEs in continental economic activity.

Tauya Langton Makoni, architect of Chii.africa, said the future of African trade will depend on traceable and interoperable digital systems that connect communities and businesses across borders.

Onboarding activities have begun via the Zimo Clan and ChiiMais platforms, with plans to extend operations into additional African markets through partnerships and cooperative networks.

Brief organisational notes: Chii.africa describes itself as a Pan‑African trade intelligence and coordination platform focused on trade traceability and market intelligence. Maistrade is a Nigerian cooperative federation that works on financial inclusion and agricultural value chains. Zimo Clan operates as a community and entrepreneurship platform supporting collaboration across Africa.