The Cameroonian subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL) has entered a partnership with trade finance platform, REasy to launch a groupage shipping service aimed at simplifying imports for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) trading between China and Cameroon.

Under the agreement, REasy will provide the digital infrastructure for international payments, transaction management and coordination between merchants and logistics providers.

Africa Global Logistics will oversee the physical supply chain, including cargo consolidation in China, maritime freight, warehousing, customs clearance and final delivery in Cameroon.

The integrated model is designed to provide SMEs with a single operational interface covering both financial and physical aspects of trade, reducing reliance on disconnected service providers.

“With this solution, AGL Cameroon strengthens its positioning on strategic Asia-Africa corridors, while actively contributing to the facilitation of international trade and the dynamization of the local business ecosystem,” said Thibaut Lamé, Managing Director of AGL Cameroon.

A push to simplify fragmented import processes

Groupage shipping allows multiple businesses to share space within a single shipping container, reducing costs by eliminating the need for SMEs to book full container loads.

For many African importers, international trade is often characterised by multiple intermediaries, including freight forwarders, customs brokers and informal payment channels. This structure typically leads to delays, cost inefficiencies and limited tracking transparency.

The new service from AGL Cameroon and REasy seeks to address these bottlenecks by integrating digital payments, logistics coordination and end-to-end shipment tracking into a unified system.

The initiative introduces a consolidated logistics and payments model designed to reduce the complexity of cross-border trade, particularly for smaller merchants who often face fragmented systems, opaque costs and limited shipment visibility.

Targeting a critical China–Cameroon trade corridor

The partnership is anchored in the growing importance of the China–Cameroon trade route. In March 2026, Cameroon exported goods worth approximately $14 million to China while importing $276 million, underscoring China’s dominance as a supply source for Cameroonian businesses.

This imbalance has made China a key procurement market for SMEs importing electronics, machinery, textiles and consumer goods into Cameroon.

By streamlining logistics along this corridor, both companies aim to reduce entry barriers for smaller businesses that lack the scale to negotiate directly with large freight operators.

Thibaut Lamé added that the collaboration reflects a broader shift towards integrated logistics solutions tailored to the needs of emerging market businesses.

Backed by recent investment and infrastructure upgrades

The partnership builds on recent expansion efforts by both organisations.

In 2025, REasy secured $1.8 million in pre-seed funding aimed at strengthening its trade infrastructure and expanding its digital capabilities across emerging markets.

Meanwhile, AGL Cameroon recently invested more than CFA2 billion (approximately $3.5 million) in new logistics equipment, part of a broader strategy to modernise operations and improve efficiency across its network.

These investments reflect increasing competition in Africa’s logistics sector, where operators are under pressure to improve speed, transparency and cost efficiency.

First shipment already completed under pilot phase

The first China–Cameroon groupage container under the pilot programme arrived on 29 April, marking an early operational milestone for the partnership.

Both companies say the model has the potential to scale beyond Cameroon into other African markets, particularly along high-volume trade corridors where SMEs face similar logistical challenges.

For SMEs, access to reliable logistics and transparent payment systems remains one of the most significant barriers to participating in international trade.

By bundling shipping, finance and tracking into a single platform, AGL Cameroon and REasy are positioning the model as a potential blueprint for reducing friction in Africa–Asia trade.

Talking Points

At Techparley, we see the partnership between Africa Global Logistics (AGL Cameroon) and REasy as a practical response to one of Africa’s most persistent trade challenges, which is the high level of fragmentation in cross-border import logistics for SMEs.

It is particularly significant that the model introduces groupage shipping, allowing small businesses to share container space and reduce import costs, a structure that directly lowers the barrier to entry for SMEs trading between China and Cameroon.

The integration of logistics services with digital payments and trade finance is a strong step towards reducing inefficiencies that typically force small importers to rely on multiple intermediaries with limited visibility and control.

The focus on the China–Cameroon corridor is also notable, especially given the scale of import dependence, with Cameroon importing significantly more from China than it exports, making efficiency gains in this route economically important for SMEs.

As the model expands, there is an opportunity for similar integrated trade platforms to deepen penetration across other African markets where SMEs face comparable structural bottlenecks in accessing global supply chains.

With the right execution and cross-border partnerships, this approach could become a catalyst for more structured, transparent, and efficient SME participation in international trade.

——————-

Bookmark Techparley.com for the most insightful technology news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @Techparleynews, on Facebook at Techparley Africa, on LinkedIn at Techparley Africa, or on Instagram at Techparleynews.