AfGCT; the Africa’s Leading ESG-Driven Trade Ecosystem

Purpose

This ESG Policy defines Afri Global Commodities Trade’s (AfGCT) commitment to setting new global benchmarks for responsible trade through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) leadership across all users, services, and transactions. Our goal is to drive inclusive growth, climate-smart logistics, and institutional trust while unlocking new opportunities like carbon credit monetization for Africa’s trade actors.

1. Environmental Principles (E)

AfGCT integrates climate-resilient and nature-positive strategies across its digital and physical ecosystem:

  • Low-Carbon Logistics: Promotion and expansion of solar-powered cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and cut transport-related emissions.
  • Sustainable Commodities: Prioritization of sustainably produced, organic, and traceable agricultural goods.
  • Eco-Friendly Trade Practices: Incentivization of environmentally responsible packaging, transport, and inventory management.
  • Carbon Credit Integration:
    • Registered producers and cooperatives may be supported in accessing carbon markets by measuring, validating, and monetizing their emission reduction efforts.
    • AfGCT will partner with accredited carbon certifiers to develop traceable, blockchain-backed credit issuance models tied to regenerative agriculture, afforestation, and logistics optimization.
    • A dedicated Carbon Trading Portal will be piloted as part of the AfGCT Premium Service Suite.

2. Social Inclusion Goals (S)

AfGCT promotes inclusive trade and empowerment across all communities, with a special focus on underrepresented groups:

  • Women & Youth Empowerment: Prioritized onboarding, capacity building, and financial facilitation for women-led, youth-led, and community-based enterprises.
  • Microenterprise Access: Micro-grants, shared logistics, and digital identity support for rural actors and smallholder cooperatives.
  • Multilingual & Offline Access: Language options, SMS/USSD interfaces, and inclusive design to reach underserved or offline communities.
  • Diversity in Governance & Partnerships: AfGCT promotes gender balance, local representation, and community voice in governance structures and vendor selection.

3. Governance Standards (G)

AfGCT operates under a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, fraud, and unethical trade conduct:

  • Traceability & Transparency: All transactions are timestamped, auditable, and linked to verified digital identities and blockchain records.
  • Fair Market Enforcement: Pricing algorithms prevent price gouging or unfair arbitrage, with AI tools monitoring anomalies.
  • Whistleblower Protection & Complaint Mechanisms: Secure, anonymous systems are in place to report abuse, backed by internal investigation protocols.
  • Regulatory Compliance: All actors must meet due diligence standards including MANSA verification, anti-money laundering (AML), and export/import laws.

4. ESG Certification Providers

AfGCT enables a trusted ESG certification layer within its platform:

  • Verification Onboarding: ESG providers are vetted for international, regional, and local compliance standards.
  • Blockchain-Verified Certificates: ESG audits, environmental impact reports, and social compliance statements are securely stored and traceable.
  • Premium Partnership Badge: Recognized ESG providers may earn the “Verified by AfGCT” co-brand for visibility to global buyers and investors.
  • Auditable Repository: All submitted ESG service reports are stored in encrypted form for verification by trading parties or regulators.

5. Incentives and Impact Rewards

AfGCT recognizes and rewards top-performing users that align with its ESG mission:

  • ESG Badges & Visibility Boosts: Users with high sustainability scores gain preferred listing and exposure on the platform.
  • Eligibility for Funding & Trade Missions: ESG-compliant users may be shortlisted for trade facilitation programs, investor grants, and promotional campaigns.
  • Platform Discounts: Discounts or fee waivers for cooperatives, green enterprises, and training-certified users.

6. Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting

AfGCT ensures transparency and ongoing ESG accountability:

  • Periodic Impact Reviews: ESG performance will be reviewed in partnership with institutions like AfCFTA, Afreximbank, and African Development Bank.
  • ESG Scorecards: Platform-wide metrics (carbon footprint, inclusion indices, governance compliance) will be published in aggregate format.
  • Third-Party Audits: Selected transactions may be subject to random or targeted ESG compliance audits by certified bodies.

AfGCT is not just a trade platform; it is Africa’s ESG Gateway to the World.
We are committed to building a future where every traded good, every certified provider, and every digital trace aligns with the highest ethical, environmental, and social standards globally.

CO-Founder & CEO

Last Updated: June 2025