Currently, the platform serves Nigerian importers trading with suppliers in the United States, China, and the UAE, with plans to expand into further trade corridors soon.
Clea, a licensed stablecoin-powered platform designed to allow African importers to pay international suppliers in USD while settling locally, has officially launched.
During its pilot phase, the platform processed over $4 million in cross-border transactions, signaling strong demand from businesses navigating the complexities of global trade.
African importers have long faced a myriad of obstacles, including limited access to foreign exchange (FX), unpredictable exchange rates, high bank charges, and fraudulent intermediaries. These issues, combined with payment delays that often halt shipments, contribute to a trade-finance gap on the continent estimated at over $120 billion annually.
Clea addresses these challenges by offering fast, transparent, and direct USD settlements. By bypassing traditional banking bottlenecks and intermediaries, the platform ensures that international payments are completed efficiently.
Founded by Sheriff Adedokun, Iyiola Osuagwu, and Sidney Egwuatu, Clea was born out of the founders’ personal frustrations with unreliable international payment systems. Currently, the platform serves Nigerian importers trading with suppliers in the United States, China, and the UAE, with plans to expand into further trade corridors soon.
Speaking on the launch, Sheriff Adedokun, CEO and co-founder, stated:
“Importers face unnecessary stress when payments are delayed or rejected. Clea eliminates that uncertainty by offering reliable, secure, and traceable payments, strengthening supplier confidence from day one.”
Iyiola Osuagwu, co-founder and CTO, added:
“Our goal is to make global trade feel as seamless as a local transfer. By connecting local currencies to global transactions through blockchain technology, we are removing long-standing barriers that have limited African importers for years.”
Clea is already collaborating with shipping operators who refer merchants to the platform and is actively engaging with trade associations and logistics networks in key import hubs. While the company remains fully bootstrapped, it is open to strategic investors who align with its mission to build a trusted global payment network for African businesses.
Regarding the company’s next steps, Sidney Egwuatu, co-founder and COO, noted:
