AfDB, Rwandan commercial banks discuss closing Africa’s US$ 92bln trade finance gap
Through its trade finance programme, the AfDB aims to help bridge the gap by working with financial institutions to increase financing for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs], while promoting trade across Africa and beyond
KIGALI, October 21, 2026 — The African Development Bank Group [AfDB] has engaged nearly all commercial banks in Rwanda to discuss expanding access to trade finance and strengthening the country’s participation in regional and global trade.
The Bank hosted a trade finance breakfast meeting in Kigali, bringing together representatives of Rwanda’s commercial banks, the AfDB Rwanda Country Office and its trade finance team.
The meeting comes as African businesses continue to face significant barriers to financing imports and exports. Africa’s trade finance gap was estimated at between US$ 74 billion and US$ 92bln in 2024, limiting businesses’ ability to trade, expand and access new markets.
Through its trade finance programme, the AfDB aims to help bridge the gap by working with financial institutions to increase financing for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs], while promoting trade across Africa and beyond.
Speaking at the meeting, the Bank Group’s Rwanda Country Manager, Aissa Toure Sarr, emphasised the importance of partnerships with financial institutions in advancing Rwanda’s economic development and regional trade ambitions.
“The meeting is both timely and significant. It creates a valuable opportunity to deepen awareness of the Bank Group’s trade finance programme and future collaborations with financial institutions in Rwanda,” she said.
Expanding access to trade finance
Bernard Muhati, Principal Trade Finance Officer for East Africa, presented the Bank’s trade finance offerings, which are designed to help financial institutions and agricultural commodity aggregators overcome barriers to trade financing, including limited access to foreign currency and risks associated with international transactions.
He outlined four products: the Trade Finance Line of Credit [TFLOC], Transaction Guarantee [TG], Risk Participation Agreement [RPA] and Soft Commodity Finance Facility [SCFF].
While the Trade Finance Line of Credit provides funding to support trade transactions, the Transaction Guarantee and Risk Participation Agreement help banks manage payment risks. The Soft Commodity Finance Facility, meanwhile, provides financing for agricultural commodities and related supply chains.
The Bank also provides technical assistance and training to strengthen the capacity of financial institutions to deliver trade finance solutions.
Eligible partner institutions must be registered and operating in an AfDB Regional Member Country, demonstrate financial and commercial viability, maintain strong risk management and corporate governance practices, meet the Bank’s internal risk requirements and comply with specified environmental and social standards.
Following the breakfast meeting, the Bank held bilateral discussions with almost all commercial banks operating in Rwanda to explore potential partnerships and identify financing opportunities.
The engagement builds on the AfDB’s broader partnership with Rwanda to accelerate economic transformation and private sector development, strengthen regional integration and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The Bank’s current portfolio in Rwanda comprises 28 operations valued at approximately US$2.6 billion, supporting investments in energy, water and sanitation, transport, agriculture, skills development, information and communication technology, finance, governance and regional integration.
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