Kenya has introduced a new digital trade model for economic diplomacy through the launch of BiasharaLink and Deal House in Ethiopia.
In a press statement on February 12, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, stated that the new digital platforms were developed by Real Sources Africa to help embassies serve as active trade hubs that originate, verify, and execute cross-border deals.
“BiasharaLink and Deal House represent a new model of economic diplomacy; one that is results-oriented. It provides a common platform for capturing and organising opportunities. It connects opportunity to execution. Together, the platforms turn diplomacy into delivery,” said Mudavadi.
The new trading models are developed by Real Sources Africa, Kenya’s designated trading company for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Mudavadi, BiasharaLink is designed to enable diplomatic missions, exporters, investors, and market actors to formally capture, structure, and track trade and investment opportunities aligned with the priorities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“BiasharaLink is a digital system that allows diplomatic missions, exporters, investors, and market actors to formally capture, structure, and track trade and investment opportunities aligned with AfCFTA priorities,” said Mudavadi.
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He added that Deal House will serve as the execution layer where opportunities generated through BiasharaLink are validated, matched with credible counterparties, connected to financing, and progressed toward contract execution.
Therefore, the two platforms will help to close Africa’s trading gap and move beyond policy frameworks toward real deals that create jobs, connect markets, and strengthen cross-border value chains.
Kenya redefining trade in Africa
On his part, Equity Group Holdings Chief Executive Officer James Mwangi argued that the system could transform inquiries into real investments, support SMEs and women-led businesses, and accelerate the implementation of Africa’s free trade agenda by turning diplomatic engagement into measurable commercial outcomes.
“We are witnessing a partnership between government and private sector to establish a trade superhighway. When you do a deep dive into the solutions, you see these platforms are the day-to-day machinery that enable enquiries to turn into bankable and trackable deals,” said Dr. Mwangi.
Felix Chege, the founder and CEO of Real Sources Africa, said the innovation addresses a key problem where embassies collectively receive about 3,500 trade inquiries each month, yet fewer than 1% of them become finalized transactions.
He explained that the goal is to build systems capable of turning inquiries into structured, bankable deals that advance African economies.
Business leaders attending the launch highlighted that the initiative reflects growing collaboration between governments and the private sector.
James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group Holdings, described the platforms as the machinery that converts interest into trackable transactions, calling them a step toward establishing a continental trade superhighway.
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Similarly, Wamkele Mene said Africa must strengthen its internal market amid disruptions in global supply chains and rising protectionism, noting that deeper regional trade integration is essential for the continent’s economic resilience.
Organizers said the initiative will particularly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises and women-led businesses by expanding market access, simplifying cross-border trade processes, and improving access to structured financing.
Mathias Kamp of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung added that these digital tools will help move ideas from paper to practice and harness Africa’s potential.
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