In a bold and transformative briefing, Breeze unveiled its vision to revolutionize trade in Africa. With a platform designed to break barriers and redefine efficiency, Breeze is empowering African businesses to thrive on the global stage, offering them tools to unlock opportunities and compete globally.
“We’re not just fixing a broken system; we’re building a new one,” declared Chimenem Nnwoka, CEO of Breeze. “Africa’s role in global trade has been limited by inefficiencies, outdated systems, and a significant trade financing gap. Breeze is our bold response—an innovative platform that positions Africa as a key player in the global economy.”
Transforming Trade with Technology
Africa’s trade systems have long been bogged down by manual processes, slow approvals, and opaque visibility into the supply chain. Breeze is changing this narrative by digitizing and streamlining trade workflows, empowering businesses to overcome these challenges.
Digital Letters of Credit (LCs)
At the heart of Breeze’s innovation is the digitization of the Letter of Credit (LC)—a cornerstone of international trade. Traditionally reliant on paperwork and prolonged timelines, LCs facilitate secure payments between buyers and sellers but have seen little technological advancement since their inception in Renaissance-era Italy.
Breeze has revolutionized the LC process, reducing processing times and offering uncollateralized credit lines of up to $50 million per transaction. This leap in efficiency empowers African businesses to scale and compete globally with greater confidence.
“Letters of Credit have been fundamental to global trade for centuries,” said Nnwoka. “But their processes remain outdated. Breeze is reimagining LCs for the modern era, using technology to make them faster, more secure, and more accessible.”
Powering Trade Finance with Distributed Ledger Technology
Breeze’s platform is built on distributed ledger technology (DLT), ensuring unmatched transparency, security, and efficiency across the entire trade process. This innovation doesn’t just streamline operations—it builds trust among all participants, from financiers to logistics providers.
The platform offers real-time transaction monitoring, enabling financial institutions to make more informed decisions and reducing risk. Businesses benefit from immediate visibility into their trade workflows, co-drafting and finalizing documents in hours rather than days or weeks.
Samuel Ayorinde, Breeze CTO, emphasized the platform’s impact: “Digitizing trade documents like LCs cuts processing times by up to 90%, enabling businesses to access trade finance quickly and efficiently.”
Chidera Ani, one of the co-founders, explained the philosophy driving Breeze’s approach: “We took a first principles approach to the problem, asking fundamental questions: Why does trade financing take weeks? Why do currency risks hold businesses back? Breeze was created from our determination to challenge these longstanding issues and provide businesses with more efficient, effective tools to succeed.”
Addressing Africa’s Trade Finance Gap
Africa’s $120 billion annual trade finance deficit has long hindered economic growth, but Breeze is turning the tide. By seamlessly connecting merchants with private capital and offshore banks while streamlining access to credit, Breeze empowers African businesses to bridge the gap and unlock their full potential.
Since developing its LC product in stealth over the past 18 months, Breeze has facilitated $800 million in LC applications across eight countries, supporting the trade of 15,000 metric tons of goods and extending $10 million in credit lines to businesses.
Ose Aigbokhaevbo, CFO of Breeze, said, “Our mission is clear: bridge Africa’s financing gap and unlock growth opportunities across the continent. By simplifying credit access, we’re empowering businesses to scale and succeed globally.”
Comprehensive Tools for Business Growth
Breeze’s solutions extend beyond LCs, offering a full suite of tools to enhance trade and financial operations:
- Payments: Global accounts in USD, GBP, and EUR enable cross-border transactions to clear within 24 hours.
- Collections: Automated invoicing and payment reminders improve cash flow and reduce delays.
- Investment Accounts: Partnering with Risevest, Breeze offers high-yield Eurobond investments to protect businesses against currency volatility and provide stable returns.
“Our goal is to make global trade effortless,” said Dele Dickson, Chief Commercial Officer. “From payments to collections, Breeze is removing friction and giving businesses the tools they need to grow.”
Building an Open Network for Trade
Breeze is not just a platform—it’s the foundation of a trusted, open trade network. By integrating merchants, banks, and logistics providers, Breeze is creating an ecosystem where collaboration, transparency, and efficiency thrive.
This network, powered by DLT, fosters real-time communication and trust, ensuring seamless transactions for all participants. “This isn’t just about today’s challenges,” said Dickson. “It’s about building a future where trust and efficiency define global trade. Breeze is laying the foundation for that future.”
Driving Sustainability
Breeze’s digital-first approach aligns with global sustainability goals, reducing the environmental impact of trade. Traditional paper-based processes can require over 100 pages per transaction. By digitizing these workflows, Breeze is significantly cutting waste and contributing to a greener future.
“Sustainability is at the core of what we do,” said Aigbokhaevbo. “Switching to digital isn’t just better for businesses—it’s better for the planet.”
The Road Ahead
The journey is far from over. Breeze will soon launch its eBL product, which will provide businesses with real-time shipment visibility and further streamline supply chain operations.
“Our vision is bold, but so is Africa’s potential,” said Nnwoka. “The days of Africa being an afterthought in global trade are over. Breeze is here to ensure Africa takes its rightful place at the forefront.”
More Than a Platform—A Movement
For the Breeze team, this mission is deeply personal. “We’re all invested in Africa’s story,” said Dickson. “Breeze isn’t just a tool—it’s a partner in progress, a catalyst for success, and a statement of Africa’s resilience.”
By reshaping trade processes, closing financing gaps, and fostering collaboration, Breeze is driving Africa toward a future of prosperity and global leadership. To learn more about Breeze and its offerings, visit www.breeze.africa or book a demo today.
