Clea Debuts After Processing USD 4 Million in Pilot Cross-Border Transactions

Clea, a blockchain-powered payments platform designed to simplify cross-border trade for African businesses, has officially launched after a successful pilot phase that processed more than USD 4 million in international transactions. The early traction highlights strong demand from African importers seeking faster, more reliable ways to pay global suppliers amid persistent foreign exchange and banking constraints.

For years, African importers have faced significant barriers when settling international invoices. Limited access to foreign currency, volatile exchange rates, high banking fees, fraudulent intermediaries, and prolonged payment delays often disrupt supply chains and delay shipments. Compounding these challenges is Africa’s estimated USD 120 billion annual trade-finance gap, which continues to restrict access to the financial infrastructure required for seamless global trade.

Clea aims to address these issues by enabling importers to make local payments while settling directly with international suppliers in USD. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform facilitates fast, transparent, and traceable transactions without relying on traditional banking intermediaries, reducing delays and operational friction.

Founded by Sheriff Adedokun, Iyiola Osuagwu, and Sidney Egwuatu, Clea was built out of the founders’ firsthand experience navigating unreliable cross-border payment systems. The platform currently supports Nigerian importers trading with suppliers in key markets including the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates, with plans underway to expand into additional trade corridors.

Clea allows businesses to pay locally in Naira while accessing USD liquidity, offering instant, same-day, or next-day settlement options. Each transaction is completed transparently and in the importer’s own name, helping to reduce fraud risk and build trust with international suppliers.

Speaking at the launch, Sheriff Adedokun, CEO and co-founder of Clea, said delayed or rejected payments often create unnecessary strain for importers. “Clea removes that uncertainty by delivering secure, traceable payments that suppliers can trust from day one. Our goal is to help African businesses trade with confidence, regardless of where their suppliers are based,” he said.

Co-founder and CTO Iyiola Osuagwu added that the company is focused on making cross-border trade feel as seamless as domestic transfers. “By connecting local currencies to global transactions through blockchain infrastructure, we are breaking down long-standing barriers that have held African importers back for years,” he said.

Clea is already collaborating with shipping operators who refer merchants to the platform and is engaging with trade associations and logistics networks in major import hubs. While the company remains fully bootstrapped, it is open to working with strategic investors who share its vision of building trusted financial rails for African trade.

Looking ahead, co-founder and COO Sidney Egwuatu said scale is the company’s next priority. “We are expanding across all 36 Nigerian states, deepening partnerships, and opening new payout routes across Africa and beyond. Our focus is on building dependable financial infrastructure that genuinely supports the growth of African importers,” he said.

//Staff writer