AfGCT Platform Terms & Conditions Framework

I. MASTER TERMS & CONDITIONS (Applies to All Users)

1. Introduction

Welcome to Afri Global Commodities Trade (AfGCT), a pan-African blockchain-powered trade and investment platform registered under OHADA commercial law and operating in accordance with AfCFTA, African Union (AU), and international trade legal frameworks. By accessing, browsing, or registering on this platform, you (the “User”) agree to comply with these Master Terms.

2. Legal Basis & Applicability

These Master Terms are governed by the following overarching legal and institutional frameworks:

  • OHADA Uniform Acts (for commercial activities, contracts, and corporate law within member states).
  • African Union Charter on Digital Trade & Economic Integration.
  • AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade & Trade in Goods.
  • General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and UNCITRAL Model Laws applicable to cross-border electronic commerce.
  • Data Protection Laws, including African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention) and GDPR-equivalent compliance.

3. Platform Scope & Services

AfGCT operates a multi-sided platform that includes:

  • A commodities marketplace for buyers, sellers, and service providers.
  • A startups and investors hub.
  • A community and services gateway.
  • Integrated logistics, quality assurance, and ESG certification functionalities.
  • Premium Services: AfGCT may offer optional premium features such as AI pricing forecasts, data analytics dashboards, and featured listing visibility. Access to these services may require subscription, additional verification, or acceptance of specific service-level terms. 

These Master Terms apply to:

  • All website visitors and users.
  • All registered stakeholders: buyers, sellers, startups, investors, service providers, experts, governments, and institutions.

4. Definitions

  • User: Any person or entity accessing, using, or registering on the platform.
  • Services: Any transactional, informational, or operational activity facilitated by AfGCT.
  • AfGCT: Afri Global Commodities Trade, headquartered in Cameroon with operations across African countries and a strategic hub in Dubai.

5. User Eligibility, Registration & Obligations

  • Eligibility & Verification: All organizations registering on AfGCT (as sellers, service providers, or institutional users) must provide accurate contact information for a designated company representative, including name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if available). Submission of a company website and corporate profile is encouraged where applicable. *(Integrated from Text 02 – 1)*
  • Individual Participation Policy: AfGCT does not permit individuals to list products or services directly on the platform. Individuals wishing to engage in trade activities are encouraged to partner with or operate through a registered cooperative of their choice. AfGCT assumes no responsibility or liability for the internal arrangements between cooperatives and individual members. 
  • General Obligations: All Users agree to:
    • Provide truthful and verifiable information.
    • Comply with applicable trade, financial, customs, and tax regulations.
    • Avoid fraud, illicit trade, corruption, and misrepresentation.

6. Platform Access & Usage

  • Offline Accessibility: AfGCT is committed to digital inclusion. With support from its telecom and development partners, the platform is working to enable offline access for rural and underserved zones through alternative solutions such as USSD codes, SMS-based interfaces, or any other suitable channel. 
  • In-Platform Communications: Registered users will have access to role-appropriate messaging tools, including secure in-platform chat functions to facilitate real-time communication between buyers, sellers, and service providers. These interactions must remain professional and are subject to monitoring for compliance.
  • Advertising and Sponsored Listings: AfGCT provides advertising options for verified users seeking platform visibility. All advertising content must comply with regulatory guidelines, avoid misleading claims, and must be approved by AfGCT before publication. Politically sensitive or inappropriate content is strictly prohibited.

7. Prohibited Practices

  • Disintermediation: Users are strictly prohibited from bypassing the platform to conclude off-platform transactions after initial connection on AfGCT. Such actions will result in permanent suspension, legal action, and notification to relevant authorities.
  • Multiple-tenancy Abuse: Users must not register under multiple identities to manipulate trade, feedback, or services. Such actions are punishable by account revocation and blacklisting.
  • AfGCT reserves the right to audit, investigate, and pursue legal claims in cases of violation of these principles under applicable OHADA and AfCFTA enforcement channels.

8. Review & Reputation System 

8.1 Purpose & Benefits

AfGCT’s review system enables Users to rate and evaluate transactions, services, and interactions (e.g., sellers, logistics partners, QA/QC/certification providers). High-performing Users benefit through:

  • Enhanced Visibility: Positive reviews elevate profiles in search rankings and recommendations.
  • Trust Badges: Consistently high ratings unlock credibility markers (e.g., “Top Seller,” “Verified Logistics Partner”).
  • Business Growth: Strong reputations attract buyers, investors, and partners through organic platform discovery.

8.2 Review Guidelines

  • Reviews must reflect genuine transactions and adhere to facts.
  • Users may not manipulate reviews (e.g., fake accounts, coercive incentives).
  • AfGCT reserves the right to remove fraudulent, defamatory, or irrelevant reviews.

8.3 Performance Recognition

Exceptional service providers (sellers, logistics, QA/QC) may:

  • Be featured in AfGCT’s “Trusted Partners” directory.
  • Receive priority placement in advertising/sponsored listings.
  • Qualify for reduced fees on premium services (e.g., data analytics).

8.4 Accountability

  • Negative reviews may trigger account review or mediation.
  • Users with consistently poor ratings risk suspension/demotion.
  • AfGCT does not edit reviews but may suppress violations under Section 7 (Prohibited Practices).

8.5 Neutrality Disclaimer

AfGCT does not endorse individual reviews. Users assume all liability for content they publish.

This transforms reviews from passive feedback into a dynamic reputation engine, directly supporting AfGCT’s goal of fostering trusted trade relationships.

9. Payment, Escrow & Compliance

All payments must be made through authorized channels, including PAPSS (Pan-African Payment & Settlement System) or approved escrow solutions. Cross-border trade facilitated via AfGCT will adhere to:

  • AfCFTA Rules of Origin.
  • National customs and VAT laws.
  • Due diligence verification under the MANSA platform and FATF standards.

10. Privacy & Data Protection

AfGCT protects user data in accordance with:

  • African Union Data Protection Convention (Malabo Convention).
  • GDPR and equivalent cross-border frameworks.
  • Users’ consent to the use of cookies, analytics, verification tools, and transactional logs.

11. Intellectual Property

All platform content, infrastructure, trade data, and analytics tools remain the intellectual property of AfGCT unless otherwise stated. Unauthorized reproduction, scraping, or misappropriation is prohibited.

12. Platform Liability & Risk Disclosure

AfGCT acts as a facilitator, not as a counterparty. We are not liable for direct commercial losses unless due to verified negligence. Users must conduct appropriate due diligence and assume responsibility for business risks within their scope.

13. Termination & Suspension

Accounts may be suspended or terminated in the event of:

  • Breach of any clause in these Terms.
  • Regulatory non-compliance.
  • Inactivity beyond a reasonable period.

14. Dispute Resolution

All disputes shall be resolved via:

  • Internal Mediation Mechanism.
  • The governing law shall be OHADA, unless otherwise stipulated.
  • If unresolved, arbitration under the AfCFTA-designated body; or Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) if needed.

15. Updates & Modifications

AfGCT may update these Terms at any time. Users will be notified electronically and prompted to re-accept any significant changes.

16. Acceptance

By using AfGCT, Users accept these Master Terms, and, where applicable, their specific User Group T&C annex (see platform roles).

Complementary Specific User Terms Apply According to User Role: Sellers, Buyers, Startups, Investors, Service Providers, Government, Institutions, and Experts.

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