Despite rising export volumes, Africa still faces a serious trade finance gap. According to the International Chamber of Commerce and Afreximbank, African businesses are rejected for trade finance at a rate of nearly 40%. That’s not a typo. Most of these are good companies—mid-sized exporters, processors, and distributors—getting turned away for the wrong reasons.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, the shortfall in available trade finance exceeds $120 billion annually, according to the African Development Bank. Banks cite KYC risk, currency exposure, and limited correspondent relationships. What it really comes down to is execution risk. Many banks just won’t underwrite trade credit for deals they can’t price. So the capital doesn’t flow, and the goods don’t move.
This is a problem if you’re moving containers from Lagos to Rotterdam. Or buying fertilizer into Kenya. Or shipping refined products out of Côte d’Ivoire. You’re stuck. And local credit lines aren’t designed for this type of structured flow.
Most rejections come down to two things: lack of deal structure or lack of bank coverage. If you don’t have a clean LC or you can’t post collateral, you’re out. Even if the transaction is solid. Banks want to see top-tier documentation, liquidity buffers, and credit support. But for most traders and mid-sized sponsors, that’s a tough ask. Especially in dollars.
Some try to patch the problem with alternative lenders or invoice platforms—but those aren’t built for cross-border commodity trade or supply chain flows. They’re built for domestic B2B cycles. It’s not the same thing.
Financely acts as a structuring and capital access platform. We take real trade deals—backed by contracts, delivery schedules, and logistics—and underwrite them with the data and formatting private credit desks expect. That includes prepping LC terms, building the SPV, and helping clients structure performance guarantees or bring in SBLCs from our banking partners.
Once it’s structured, we match it with capital. We don’t blast your deal. We bring it to desks that fund trade, often in tranches. Some are private credit funds, others are structured note desks, commodity finance desks, or family offices with asset-backed mandates. Most want short tenors, verified shipment terms, and dollar-denominated payment chains. If the file checks out, we close.
Submit the docs. We’ll underwrite it, tell you what’s fundable, and match it with live desks. No pitch decks. Just structure.
Submit a Deal Book a ConsultationThe money isn’t missing. The structure is. We see fundable trade deals every week that never make it past compliance because they weren’t packaged properly. Wrong banks. Wrong instruments. Wrong expectations. Our job is to fix that—fast. If your deal is real and your buyer is verified, we’ll tell you what it takes to close.
Submit your deal using our secure intake form, and receive a quote within 1-3 business days. Existing clients can connect with their relationship manager through our secure web portal.
All submissions are
promptly reviewed, and all communications are conducted through the intake form or the client portal for a seamless and secure process.
Thank you for considering working with us. A nominal fee of US$500 is required upon completion of each form. This fee covers the time and effort we invest in reviewing your submission and crafting a thorough proposal. We receive numerous inquiries and prioritize those that carry this fee, ensuring serious applicants receive prompt attention.
Tap into solutions like letters of credit, bank guarantees, and payment facilitation. We address the challenge of global transaction risk through structured strategies that foster cross-border growth. Complete the form to unlock streamlined funding aligned with your commercial objectives.
Submit a RequestAccess non-recourse funding for infrastructure, renewable energy, or other capital-intensive ventures. We mitigate capital constraints by isolating project assets and focusing on risk management. Provide your details to receive a structure that drives growth and maximizes returns.
Submit a RequestSecure financing for business or real estate acquisitions. We ease transaction hurdles by reviewing cash flow, synergy opportunities, and exit plans. Complete the form for a customized proposal that supports your strategic investment objectives.
Submit a RequestFinancely assists banks facing Basel III pressures by distributing trade finance deals and providing collateral for letters of credit. We reduce capital burdens while preserving client relationships and fostering service expansion. Submit your request to optimize your trade finance offerings.
Submit a RequestOnce we receive your submission, our team will review your information to determine feasibility. If eligible, you will receive a proposal or term sheet within 1–3 business days. Visit our FAQ and Procedure pages for more information.
Disclaimer: Financely provides financing based on due diligence and feasibility. Approval is not guaranteed, and past performance does not predict future outcomes. All terms are subject to review. Financely primarily assists with structuring and distribution. Qualified parties carry out the project if the client approves the proposal.
Financely advises growth-focused businesses on accessing capital by introducing their opportunities to professional investors. Financely is not a securities broker or dealer. Where appropriate, engagements are coordinated with regulated broker-dealers, investment banks, legal counsel, and other specialists.
Financely does not solicit, offer, or accept orders to buy or sell securities and makes no assurance regarding capital-raising outcomes.
Services are strictly business-to-business. Financely does not provide personal finance, consumer credit, or retail advisory services.
Advisory services are reserved for post-revenue companies that recognize the time and resources required for professional underwriting.
All mandates start with an RFQ. We review submissions, issue a brief Go/No-Go memo, and where bankable, release a Term Sheet that leads to funding. We arrange capital across Senior Secured, Unitranche, Second Lien/Mezzanine, Preferred Equity, and Gap Solutions. We do not process deals by email or chat.
Letters of Credit, Standby LCs, Confirmations, Receivables Finance, and Inventory Lines with control.
Funding arranged for trade flows with instruments sized to your cycle and aligned to delivery and settlement.
Move forward to secure working capital and keep goods moving. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting for funding.
Limited or non-recourse structures for energy and infrastructure with lender-ready materials.
Funding solutions aligned to project cash flows with credible covenants and conditions to reach notice to proceed.
Advance the file to termable status. Submit the RFQ so we can underwrite and secure funding.
Debt and Preferred solutions anchored on cash flow, Quality of Earnings, and clear closing mechanics.
Funding across senior, unitranche, and preferred to match stable cash flows and acquisition timelines.
Get financed on workable terms for closing. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting.
Acquisition, development, bridge, and refinance with lender-ready packs and third-party reports managed.
Funding calibrated to DSCR, leverage, and tenancy with terms designed to close.
Move to a financeable package. Submit the RFQ to initiate underwriting for funding.
KYC and Source of Funds required. Engagements are best-efforts and subject to underwriting. Preference for operating companies with meaningful revenue. See our FAQ and Procedure.
Financely Inc. (“Financely”) provides corporate-finance advice and is wholly owned by Aurora Bay Trust, a trust formed under Bahamian law, together with its authorized affiliates. Depending on deal structure, jurisdiction, and local rules, engagement may be carried out through Financely Group LLC, a non-deposit-taking non-banking financial company; Ashford Capital Advisory LLC; or another related entity. Financely and its affiliates are not registered as securities broker-dealers. When a mandate involves the purchase or sale of securities and a registered intermediary is required, all orders are introduced to and executed by a U.S. broker-dealer registered with the SEC and FINRA, acting as “chaperone” under SEC Rule 15a-6 (17 C.F.R. § 240.15a-6). Nothing here constitutes an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security. Before proceeding, read our Terms of Service to confirm that engaging Financely Group LLC, Ashford Capital Advisory LLC, or any affiliate aligns with your legal and regulatory requirements.In the United States, we operate as an
exempt foreign private adviser pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, subject to applicable exemptions from certain regulatory requirements. Our services and regulatory status may vary based on the location and nature of the transaction. Click
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