How Afrikoni works
Afrikoni turns cross-border African sourcing into four steps. (1) Describe what you need in one sentence. (2) AI ranks verified suppliers by price, lead time, and corridor risk. (3) Suppliers send binding quotes — you compare in one screen. (4) You pay through Afrikoni escrow; funds release on confirmed delivery. End-to-end in days, not months.
Step 1 — Describe what you need
Type one sentence (e.g., "200 tonnes of organic cocoa beans for delivery to Rotterdam"). Afrikoni's AI parses spec, volume, destination, certifications, and timing.
Step 2 — AI ranks verified suppliers
Afrikoni surfaces the best three KYC-verified suppliers ranked by total landed cost (not just unit price), lead time, and corridor risk. You see verification dates, prior trade history, and AfCFTA eligibility.
Step 3 — Suppliers compete with binding quotes
Selected suppliers respond with binding quotes inside Afrikoni. Compare price, lead time, MOQ, certifications, payment terms, and AfCFTA duty estimates side-by-side.
Step 4 — Pay through escrow; funds release on delivery
You pay (card, wire, mobile money — whatever fits your corridor) into Afrikoni escrow. Funds release to the supplier when they ship and you confirm receipt. Disputes go to a structured resolution process; buyers never lose funds to non-delivery.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the full Afrikoni flow take?
- From first request to confirmed delivery: typically 14–35 days depending on corridor. The matching + quoting phase takes hours-to-days; production + shipping is the bulk of the timeline.
- Can I source samples before placing a bulk order?
- Yes. Most suppliers accept sample orders through Afrikoni's quote tool with separate sample pricing. Sample payments are also escrow-protected.
- What happens if the supplier doesn't ship?
- Funds stay in escrow. After the agreed deadline, you can open a dispute. If shipment can't be verified, Afrikoni refunds you in full from escrow.
- Does Afrikoni handle logistics and customs?
- Yes. End-to-end DDP (Afrikoni handles export, freight, customs, last-mile) is available on most corridors. Buyers can also opt for FOB and arrange their own onward logistics.
- How much does Afrikoni charge?
- No subscription, no listing fee for buyers. Afrikoni earns a percentage of completed trade value built into the platform price the buyer sees. Detailed breakdown on the pricing page.