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Financial Engineering – Securing & Financing International Trade | Africa Trade Gate

Mission & Impact

Africa World Services’ International Financial Engineering Unit (IFCI) facilitates the financing and security of international transactions. Its goal is to accelerate import–export operations while drastically reducing the risk of non‑payment or non‑compliance. By making financial tools previously reserved for large corporations available to SMEs, the IFCI unit democratizes access to international trade.

Pure Financial Services

Trade finance solutions tailored to the needs of international businesses and projects

Letters of Credit Orchestration

We act as an orchestrator between buyer, supplier and partner banks to accelerate L/C validation and minimize non‑payment risk. Our actions: verifying the commercial contract, assisting with the opening, controlling documents until payment and auditing compliance.

Bank Guarantees

Implementation of Stand‑by Letters of Credit, Performance Bonds and Advance Payment Guarantees to secure commercial commitments. We prepare the file and negotiate the appropriate guarantee with partner banks

Export Factoring & Forfaiting

We identify and negotiate with factors or credit insurers so exporters can sell their invoices and obtain immediate payment. Benefits: payment upon shipment, reduced working‑capital needs, growth financing and transfer of credit risk

Supplier Credit & Pre‑Financing

Needs analysis, structuring of a loan tied to the transaction with a partner bank, then obtaining the financing – the buyer pays later or the exporter receives pre‑financing

Commercial Security Services

Risk mitigation mechanisms to protect all parties during the transaction cycle:

Escrow Management

Neutral escrow accounts to hold funds until delivery is confirmed. Process: buyer deposit, escrow account, shipment & verification, release of funds

Document Verification & Compliance

Full audit of commercial invoices, transport documents (bill of lading, AWB), customs and origin certificates, quality inspection reports and insurance policies. The goal is to avoid payment delays caused by non‑compliant documents. .

Partner Due Diligence & KYC

Identity verification (legal documents and registration), reputation checks (business history), financial analysis (solvency) and . This process protects the exporter from default risk and the importer by confirming the supplier’s credibility. .

Indicative Pricing

L/C orchestration

~0.5% of the letter of credit amount + fixed fees.

Bank guarantees

Commission 1–2% of the guaranteed amount + administrative fees.

Forfaitage

Intermediation fee ≈ 0.2% of the amount of each invoice.

Escrow

Flat fee of €1,000 or ~0.5% of the blocked amount

Due Diligence KYC

Flat fee of €500 per counterparty reviewed (often included free of charge with other services).

Benefits

Risk reduction

Escrow, document verification, and KYC mechanisms minimize the risks of non-payment, fraud, and non-compliance.

Access to tailored financing

Modular solutions (L/C, SBLC, factoring, pre-financing) depending on the size and sector of the company.

Improved cash flow

Pre-financing and factoring tools provide immediate liquidity to finance growth.

Expert support

Our teams negotiate with banks, organize documentation, and advise on Incoterms and regulations.

Transparency & compliance

Documentary and KYC audits ensure full compliance with international standards (AML/CFT, BEAC, FATF).

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