Compliance requirements

Compliance Requirements

At ATEX (Africa Trade Exchange), compliance is fundamental to how we operate. As a B2B and B2G e-commerce platform established under the auspices of Afreximbank, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. These compliance requirements ensure that all buyers, suppliers, and partners conduct business on ATEX in line with international best practices, continental trade frameworks, and national laws.

1. Purpose

The purpose of these requirements is to:

1. Safeguard all participants against fraud, illicit trade, and unethical practices.
2. Ensure compliance with Afreximbank’s operational standards and African Union protocols.
3. Build trust by providing a secure, transparent, and credible marketplace for African and global trade.

2. Regulatory Framework

1. Afreximbank Guidelines – All users must comply with Afreximbank’s trade facilitation policies and regulatory protocols.
2. African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – ATEX aligns with AfCFTA principles to promote fair, lawful, and efficient intra-African trade.
3. National Laws – Participants are required to observe all relevant laws and regulations within their jurisdictions, including customs, taxation, import/export, and trade licensing requirements.

3. Trade and Product Compliance

1. Permissible Goods – Only goods and services that are lawful under applicable international and national trade laws may be listed.
2. Restricted and Prohibited Goods – Items banned by Afreximbank, the African Union, international treaties, or national governments are strictly prohibited.
3. Standards and Certification – Suppliers must ensure that their goods and services meet all applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental standards, supported by proper certification where required.

4. Verification and Due Diligence

1. Know Your Customer (KYC) / Know Your Business (KYB) – All buyers and suppliers undergo a robust identity and business verification process before approval.
2. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) – ATEX strictly enforces compliance with AML and CTF regulations to prevent unlawful financial activity.
3. Ongoing Monitoring – User accounts are subject to continuous vetting and review to ensure compliance and safeguard platform integrity.

5. Data Protection and Confidentiality

1. Secure Transactions – ATEX employs advanced security protocols to protect user transactions and communications.
2. Privacy Compliance – Personal and business data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, including international privacy frameworks.
3. Confidentiality – All trade-related information shared on ATEX is treated with the highest degree of confidentiality.

6. User Obligations

By registering and using ATEX, all participants expressly agree to:

1. Provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information at all times.
2. Comply fully with applicable trade, tax, and customs laws.
3. Refrain from engaging in fraudulent, misleading, or unethical practices.
4. Respect ATEX’s mission to provide a secure and transparent environment for African and global trade.

7. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in:

1. Suspension or termination of user accounts.
2. Removal of non-compliant products or services.
3. Reporting to relevant regulatory and legal authorities where necessary.

8. Disclaimer

ATEX reserves the right to amend these compliance requirements from time to time in accordance with changes in international trade law, AfCFTA protocols, and national regulations. Users are encouraged to review this page regularly to remain informed of their obligations.