Harness untapped potential of e-payment

By  Simba J. Huni

Global Business Development Manager

CapitalPay International

Consider the typical journey of a container from Mombasa Port to Kampala. It involves a paper trail of invoices, multiple payment gateways, and days spent reconciling fees between clearing agents, transporters and banks.

This friction locks up working capital, introduces opacity at every stage and ultimately makes goods more expensive for the end consumer.

It is a story I have heard countless times from logistics operators across the region, and it is precisely why I recently joined industry leaders, policymakers and innovators at the East Africa Logistics, Warehousing and E-Commerce Conference and Expo in Nairobi. The energy there was palpable, and the conversations made one thing clear: our supply chains are at an inflection point, and the age of AI and digital finance offers a powerful antidote.

Imagine a clearing agent in Nairobi trying to track a payment for a consignment heading to Kampala. They must navigate mobile money, bank transfers and informal channels, all while hoping the transaction arrives in time to clear customs. Days are lost, capital is tied up, and the cost of moving goods rises. This is the reality of fragmented systems. But what if that same agent could settle the invoice in real time, with an auditable trail from sender to receiver? That is the promise of digitisation.

AI-driven risk assessment

Artificial intelligence is accelerating this shift. By integrating AI-driven risk assessment into payment flows, we can move from reactive fraud detection to proactive compliance. Machine learning models can now automate reconciliation, flag anomalies and reduce the human error that leads to costly delays. When an AI system verifies that a shipment's documentation matches its payment record, customs clearance becomes almost instantaneous. This is not a luxury; it is a practical necessity for keeping goods moving efficiently across borders.

Across the region, governments and logistics bodies are actively pushing for digital adoption. The launch of digital trade platforms and the push for interoperable systems underscore a collective recognition that seamless payments are central to trade efficiency. The logistics sector itself is embracing this shift, with companies using AI to optimise delivery routes and turning data into actionable business insights. This convergence of logistics and fintech is not just about moving goods; it is about moving money smarter.

In our work across Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and South Sudan, we have seen how a single digital rail connecting banks, mobile money and customs systems transforms operations. When a transporter can prove their transaction history, lenders gain the visibility to extend working capital. When fee structures are standardised, informal undercutting stops and logistics providers gain more predictable revenue. When payments, compliance and reporting sit on one trusted platform, every stakeholder, from the clearing agent to the regulator, has the same transparent view of a transaction. That transparency is what ultimately lowers the cost and time of moving goods across African borders.

This digital transformation must be inclusive. As we saw at the conference, the question is not just about making trade more efficient; it is about ensuring that efficiency reaches the SMEs and cross-border traders who form the backbone of our economies. Digital payment solutions must be simple, interoperable and affordable. At CapitalPay, we are building that trusted, secure infrastructure to unlock the potential of regional commerce.

East Africa stands on the brink of a monumental trade transformation. The ambition is there, the policy frameworks are being built, and the technology is ready. By making digital payments the standard rather than the exception, we can ensure that increased trade benefits everyone from the boardroom to the border post.

Mr Huni is Global Business Development Manager at CapitalPay International. [email protected]