I&M Bank Taps Surecomp to Modernise Digital Trade Finance Across East Africa

Quick Summary

I&M Bank is modernising its digital trade finance operations through a strategic partnership with Surecomp. By deploying the DOKA-NG™ and RIVO™ platforms, the bank will automate manual processes and reduce turnaround times for businesses across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Mauritius, facilitating more efficient regional trade.

How is I&M Bank Streamlining Regional Trade Operations?

I&M Bank is addressing the growing demand for seamless trade transactions by replacing fragmented manual processes with a unified digital ecosystem. This integrated trade platform allows businesses to manage the entire trade lifecycle—from moving goods to executing payments—with significantly reduced turnaround times. By centralising operations, the bank can support growing trade volumes while simultaneously enhancing its internal risk and compliance frameworks.

• Five regional markets included in the initial rollout phase.
• Manual paperwork reduction to accelerate customer service delivery.
• Enhanced operational efficiency through automated workflow management.

"For our customers, trade is ultimately about being able to move goods, make payments and do business efficiently. As their businesses grow and increasingly operate across markets, they need their bank to keep pace with them. This investment is about simplifying that experience, reducing turnaround times and giving our customers a stronger trade finance partner across the region." said Carolyne Mulandi, I&M Bank’s Head of Trade & Financial Institutions.

What Technology is Powering this Digital Transformation?

The core of this transformation lies in the deployment of Surecomp’s DOKA-NG™ and RIVO™ solutions. These tools are designed to provide frictionless transaction processing and data-driven insights, allowing I&M Bank to offer a consistent customer experience across its diverse geographic footprint. The transition to SaaS-based technology ensures that the bank's digital trade finance capabilities remain scalable as market demands evolve.

"Our partnership with I&M Bank reflects the rapidly growing focus among African banks on using SaaS technology to make trade finance more accessible, efficient and scalable. We are pleased to support I&M as it strengthens its trade capabilities across the region and creates a more seamless experience for its customers." said Tal Weiser, Surecomp’s Chief Revenue Officer.

Why is Digital Trade Finance Critical for the African Market?

As African businesses increasingly operate across borders, they require robust regional capabilities from their financial partners. I&M Bank's investment in cloud-native trade tech positions it as a primary facilitator for intra-African trade. By leveraging automated compliance checks and real-time tracking, the bank helps SMEs and corporate clients navigate the complexities of cross-border commerce with greater transparency and speed.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This partnership between I&M Bank and Surecomp is a clear indicator that digital trade finance is no longer a luxury but a necessity for regional banks. By implementing a sophisticated SaaS stack across five countries, I&M Bank is effectively removing the "paperwork tax" that often hinders African commerce. This move definitely moves the needle, setting a benchmark for how mid-tier regional players can leverage global tech to outpace traditional legacy competitors.