Breeze Ushers In a New Era Of Trade for African Businesses

By Omolabake Fashogbon

Breeze is reshaping the African trade ecosystem, addressing inefficiencies and financial barriers that have long hindered growth. The platform provides tools to help businesses thrive in global markets. From protracted wait times to limited access to financing, African entrepreneurs have faced numerous challenges. Breeze seeks to offer a practical and effective solution.

“Our mission is simple yet transformative,” said Chimenem Nnwoka, CEO of Breeze. He emphasized the importance of creating tools that reflect the realities of African businesses. “This is about giving them the opportunity to compete on a level playing field in global commerce,” he stated, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity.

The traditional Letter of Credit (LC) system, which is central to global trade, has been fraught with bureaucracy and delays. Smaller businesses often find themselves excluded due to the collateral requirements and inefficiencies inherent in this system. Breeze has modernized the LC process, allowing businesses to access uncollateralized credit lines of up to $50 million and complete transactions in hours rather than weeks.

“Letters of Credit have historically been a vital trade tool but have now become a barrier for many,” Nnwoka explained. “Breeze has reinvented the process, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.” By addressing these issues, Breeze enables entrepreneurs to seize opportunities without the fear of financial constraints.

Technology plays a pivotal role in Breeze’s operations. The platform’s use of distributed ledger technology ensures real-time transparency, fostering trust among all stakeholders involved in a transaction. Samuel Ayorinde, Chief Technology Officer, highlighted how this approach transforms the business landscape by providing visibility and security at every stage of the trade process.

Africa’s $120 billion annual trade financing gap has long stifled economic progress. Breeze is bridging this gap by connecting businesses to private capital and global financial institutions. Since its launch, the platform has processed over $800 million in LC applications, facilitated the movement of more than 15,000 metric tons of goods, and provided $10 million in credit to businesses that previously lacked access to such resources. CFO Ose Aigbokhaevbo noted, “Every deal we support represents someone’s ambition and hope for a better future. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey.”

Beyond financing, Breeze provides comprehensive tools to support businesses in overcoming operational challenges. From managing cross-border payments to reducing delays in collections, the platform equips companies to succeed in a competitive global market. Its partnerships offer businesses avenues to stabilize currency fluctuations, ensuring that growth remains sustainable.
Breeze’s digital-first approach also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on paperwork, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of trade transactions. “Every transaction processed digitally isn’t just faster; it’s also greener,” Aigbokhaevbo remarked, emphasizing the dual benefits of efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Looking ahead, Breeze plans to launch its electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) solution, which will enable real-time shipment tracking and streamline supply chain management. “We’re not just solving today’s problems,” Nnwoka said. “We’re building for the future, anticipating the evolving needs of businesses.”

For the Breeze team, this mission is deeply personal. Many members have firsthand experience with the challenges of doing business in Africa, and their insights shape the company’s innovative solutions. As Dele Dickson, Chief Commercial Officer, explained, “This isn’t just about technology or transactions—it’s about people. It’s about the entrepreneurs who dare to dream and the businesses that drive our economies.”

By tackling systemic challenges, leveraging advanced technology, and keeping people at the forefront, Breeze is redefining what’s possible for African businesses.