Most big problems are just collections of smaller, messy ones. Take intra-African trade. It’s stuck at 17% of the continent’s total, a pathetic sliver. This is due to trust deficit, tough logistical constraints, low market visibility, high tariffs, and expensive currency conversion.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to fix it, but a policy can only go so far. Someone still has to create the infrastructure that will enable traders to benefit from the policy.
That’s where Brydge comes in. This Nigerian startup, founded by Nathan Agama, launched in 2023 with a modest $315,000 from Standard Bank Group and Mastercard Foundation. They’ve already moved ₦4.8 billion ($2.9 million) in transactions and disbursed ₦100 million ($61,000) in trade financing to 42 small and medium businesses.
Brydge works by orchestrating payment, sourcing, and logistics technology from licensed providers, enabling traders to access all services from one platform. Agama says some of its users have seen weekly transactions jump from $10,000 to $100,000.
For its services, Brydge charges 0.5–1% transaction fees, capped at $500. It also makes money from FX margins.
The big picture: Agama’s ambition isn’t small. He wants Brydge to be the backbone of Africa’s $3 trillion intra-continental trade market. By 2030, he’s targeting a $50 million GMV, 5,000 active buyers, and operations in 10 key African markets. They’re raising a $750,000 pre-seed round now, betting on sustainable growth. Watch out for the full story on .
