KutanaPay Develops AI-Powered Escrow Platform for Cross Border Trade In Africa

Ghanaian fintech startup KutanaPay has developed a digital platform that combines artificial intelligence, blockchain and escrow services to help businesses manage cross-border trade transactions more securely. The Accra based company aims to reduce the risks associated with international commerce, where concerns over non-payment, delayed deliveries and limited access to trade finance continue to affect businesses across Africa.

Founded in 2023 by Nicholas Murphy and Samuel Opoku, KutanaPay enables buyers and sellers to create digital contracts that define the terms of a transaction. Buyers deposit funds into an escrow account, and payments are released only after both parties confirm that agreed milestones, such as the shipment or delivery of goods, have been met.

The platform also incorporates artificial intelligence-powered analytics that provide businesses with market intelligence and insights into trade flows, while blockchain technology helps improve transparency throughout the transaction process.

Integrated Trade Services

In addition to its escrow platform, KutanaPay offers cross-border payment services, cargo insurance, dispute resolution mechanisms and trade finance solutions designed to help businesses manage working capital requirements linked to international trade. The company says it operates in several African countries and also serves members of the African diaspora. According to KutanaPay, transaction volumes have increased since the commercial launch of the platform.

Addressing Africa’s Trade Finance Challenges

KutanaPay is entering a market where access to trade finance remains a significant challenge. In its African Trade Report 2025, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) said limited access to trade finance, the high cost of cross-border payments and inadequate financial infrastructure continue to constrain trade across the continent.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that Africa’s annual trade finance gap ranges between US$74 billion and US$92 billion, with the shortfall projected to reach US$86.6 billion by 2027.

As implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) expands, businesses are expected to seek digital platforms that make cross-border trade more secure and efficient. KutanaPay brings together escrow, cross-border payments, insurance and trade finance through a single platform to support those transactions.