Clea, a Nigerian fintech startup, has officially launched its blockchain infrastructure platform, enabling African importers to settle with global suppliers instantly and directly.
During its pilot phase, the firm processed cross-border transactions between Nigerian importers and suppliers from the U.S., China, and the UAE, which totaled over $4 million.
Key features of the platform present in the pilot stage included a Naira settlement option, instant access to U.S. dollars, and traceable transactions.
The platform aims to empower African business owners to make instant settlements without the delays associated with traditional financial systems, reduce risks of fraud, and strengthen trust and relationships between local importers and international suppliers.
Sheriff Adedokun, CEO and co-founder, noted that Clea helps strengthen confidence and ties across cross-border trades.
Importers face unnecessary stress when payments are delayed or rejected. Clea eliminates that uncertainty by offering reliable, secure, and traceable payments completed in the importer’s own name, strengthening supplier confidence from day one.
The Next Step for Clea
Following a successful pilot, Clea has officially launched its platform with plans to expand services across Nigeria, other African countries, and suppliers across the globe.
The firm is also engaging shipping operators and logistics networks to facilitate end-to-end cross-border trade, from payment to delivery.
Iyiola Osuagwu, co-founder and CTO, said the startup aims to streamline cross-border trade for African merchants, making it as seamless as domestic trades.
The next phase for us is scale. We are expanding across all 36 Nigerian states, strengthening partnerships, and opening new payout routes across Africa and beyond. Our focus is building a dependable financial infrastructure that genuinely supports importer growth.
