About ACE · Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision

From African Heritage to African Value.

Africa does not lack entrepreneurs, products, knowledge or ambition. The continent has established an important foundation for economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional and bilateral trade arrangements.

The challenge is turning these commitments into everyday practice. A producer needs to understand the requirements of a new market. An exporter needs to prepare the right documentation. A buyer needs reliable information about suppliers and products. A competent authority needs clear procedures for handling applications, notifications and verification.

When these processes are fragmented, market access becomes more difficult, particularly for smaller businesses and producers. ACE is being developed to help connect these processes through shared digital infrastructure.

"Our ambition is simple: make it easier to move from a trade commitment to a practical, documented and measurable trade process."

What ACE Does

One Market. Ten Industries. One Integrated Infrastructure.

ACE is designed around three connected functions.

🏛️

Trade Implementation

We support governments and institutions by structuring trade workflows, organising market-access information, and coordinating notifications, while respecting the mandates of each competent authority.

🛍️

Connected Markets

ACE Market connects producers, suppliers, processors, and buyers through B2B and B2C pathways, creating routes to new buyers and processing opportunities.

⚙️

Shared Digital Services

We provide the foundation for digital identity, product documentation, traceability, market access, and trade coordination across all participating organisations.

Strategic Dialogues

The Voices Behind the Vision

Exclusive interviews on the future of African trade, digital verification, and cross-border cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Mitslal Kifleyesus Matschie

Initiator of ACE · Ecopia Group

Founder's Perspective

Why did you decide to initiate ACE?

"ACE was born from a real business need. Ecopia Group has been active in Ethiopia and Germany, and we were constantly asked to export our products to other African countries. We realized the physical infrastructure was there, but the digital coordination to navigate regulatory compliance and verify standards was missing. So, we built a consortium to solve it."

What makes this consortium unique?

"We brought together the exact partners needed to solve every friction point. From SeraTera for university startups, to ecocertification.eu for lab testing, to TickerTape for fintech and Milly Money. This is not just a platform; it is a complete ecosystem endorsed by the Ethiopian government." "We don't just talk about trade commitments. We build the digital roads that make trade happen."

Prof. Dr. Muwriwa

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zimbabwe

Coming Soon

Why is the Ethiopia-Zimbabwe corridor the right pilot?

"Trade between our nations has been modest, which makes it the perfect testbed. We are not fighting decades of entrenched paper processes. We have a greenfield opportunity to design the ideal system from scratch, digitally."

How does this protect Zimbabwe's sovereignty?

"ACE does not regulate or approve products. Our competent authorities—like MCAZ or ZIMRA—retain full legal authority. ACE is the digital plumbing. When we make a decision, ACE records it and makes it instantly visible to the Ethiopian side." "Just as Africa leapfrogged landlines to mobile phones, we are leapfrogging paper borders to digital corridors."

Shared Backbone

Ten Industries. One Infrastructure.

ACE establishes common digital foundations once and adapts them to the specific rules and requirements of different sectors.

1. Agriculture and Farmers

2. Health Services

3. Herbal Medicinal Plants

4. Food and Cosmetics

5. Pharmaceuticals

6. Fashion

7. Creative and Digital

8. Music

9. Film and Media

10. Minerals and Jewellery

The Trade Journey

From Registration to Record

A typical ACE-supported trade process is organised into five stages, making the journey transparent and easier to coordinate.

01

Register & Identify

Create structured records for businesses, producers, buyers and organisations.

02

Document & Verify

Collect product and business information. Verification remains with the responsible parties.

03

Establish Readiness

Identify target market requirements and document relevant authorisations.

04

Connect & Trade

Enable connections between suppliers, processors, and buyers through ACE Market.

05

Coordinate & Record

Organise information about fulfilment, logistics, payments, and transaction progress.

The Consortium

Working with the Wider Trade Ecosystem

ACE works alongside the organisations that make trade possible. Each participant retains its own responsibilities and mandates.

🌍 Ecopia Group

Founder & Value Chain

Operating in Ethiopia and Germany, Ecopia brings deep knowledge of processing, EU compliance, and manages the value chain working directly with farmers and DLM graduates.

🎓 SeraTera

University & Startup Engine

Connects universities, graduates, and new startups to the ecosystem, providing the talent, incubation, and establishment of new service and product businesses.

🧪 ecocertification.eu

Certification Authority

Provides independent laboratory testing, inspection, and certification to ensure products meet quality and compliance standards.

💳 TickerTape Technologies

Digital & Fintech Engine

Builds the core digital infrastructure, APIs, and payment integrations. They are the creators behind Milly Money, the remittance and financial empowerment pathway.

🌊 Children of the Nile

Diaspora & Education

The educational and community gateway for the diaspora, connecting families, youth, and professionals to opportunities within the ACE ecosystem.

✈️ Ethiopian Airlines Cargo

Logistics Partner

Ensures verified shipments are transported securely, with tracking data fed back into the ACE platform.

🇿🇼 ZimTrade

Trade Promotion

The national trade development and promotion organization of Zimbabwe, facilitating export growth and market access.

🇪🇹 Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Institutional Partner

Supporting the diplomatic and institutional framework for cross-border trade implementation.

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs