Dear reader, did you know?

Afreximbank in conjunction with it’s strategic partners launched the game changing Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) in Kenya on the 23rd of September 2025.

ATG is a digital platform that seeks to:

1. Streamline trade by providing seamless trade matching between verified business owners and suppliers.
2. Provide access to finance.
3. Facilitate local currency settlement through the Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS).
4. Provide access to market information and regulations.
5. Provide access to investment opportunities just to mention a few.

With the global poly crises that has largely hindered and crippled trade, this platform can only be likened to Christmas come early. ATG is a testament to the fact that Artificial Inte ligence is no longer a futuristic idea within the trade ecosystem; it’s already transforming trade operations

Also, as trade becomes more digital, ideas and innovations are now the most valuable commodities. Yet many businesses, especialy SMEs and women-led enterprises, neglect to protect their creative assets until it’s too late.

Strong IP management frameworks safeguard brands, inventions, and creative works, ensuring that innovators retain control and fair value particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Hence, it is quite apparent that when digital trade, AI and IP converge, together, they form a powerful triad for sustainable growth. But for this vision to succeed, policymakers, innovators, and legal professionals must work together to build trust frameworks, clear policies, and robust IP systems that empower African innovation.

At Tom Mboya & Company Advocates, we believe the future of law and trade is digital.Our mission is to help businesses navigate this new frontier from compliance and IP protection to leveraging AI-driven solutions that enhance efficiency and competitiveness

Africa stands at a historic crossroads. The question is no longer if we’ l adapt, but how fast we can align law, technology, and innovation to create inclusive growth across the continent.