Cedar Blog

The infrastructure of global trade is shifting, and for African businesses, the window to position ahead of that shift is now.

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On April 28, 2026, Cedar Money brought together Dayo Fagade (Director of Sales, Cedar Money), Somtochukwu Nnajim (Country Manager, Yellow Card Nigeria), and Titilayo Ogunleye (Legal Compliance Lead, Busha) to unpack the forces reshaping cross-border payments. The conversation was moderated by Temitayo Jaiyeola (Senior reporter at TechCabal), and three themes dominated the discussion: compliance as a strategic asset, stablecoins maturing into settlement infrastructure, and the emergence of new trade corridors—particularly the Africa-UAE corridor.

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Here are the key takeaways.

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Compliance as a competitive advantage

The most consistent signal from all three panellists was that compliance has fundamentally changed its role in business.

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"Compliance has shifted from being a back office function to a core competitive advantage that directly dictates access to global liquidity and entry speed into new trade corridors," said Ogunleye.

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More than just a regulatory observation, it's a market access argument. Businesses that have clean, digital compliance workflows move faster into new corridors, unlock better liquidity, and build the kind of trust that global trade partners require. Fagade noted that, specifically in Nigeria, this shift is enterprise-wide: "A major change in Nigerian cross-border trade is a heightened focus on compliance, not just within the compliance department but across the overall business."

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Ogunleye put it plainly: compliance data is the "passport" for global trade. Having it in order pre-approves an organisation for expansion. Cedar Money's registrations under FINTRAC, FinCEN, and the RPAA reflect exactly this logic: compliance built into the business, not just bolted on.

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African regulators are moving toward stablecoins, not against them

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The regulatory conversation in Africa has shifted considerably. Rather than approaching digital assets with blanket scepticism, regulators are now engaging infrastructure providers to co-develop frameworks.

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"Regulators in countries like Kenya and South Africa are starting conversations with infrastructure providers like Yellow Card and Cedar to develop comprehensive frameworks," said Nnajim.

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Fagade highlighted the underlying logic as regulators seeing stablecoins not as a replacement for fiat, but as a solution to gaps in the traditional system. Essentially, a "plugger" for structural inefficiencies. Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria are already piloting programs or releasing supportive policies. This signals that stablecoin adoption is becoming policy.

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Stablecoins are solving real problems- sped and cost

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The operational case for stablecoins is straightforward. Traditional correspondent banking can take 5–10 days to settle a cross-border payment. Stablecoins settle in minutes.

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"Stable coins serve as the closest equivalent to the USD for cross-border payments, solving challenges in speed and cost associated with traditional models," said Nnnajim.

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Ogunleye pointed out that legacy institutions are taking note for practical reasons: "The shift of legacy companies to stable coins is them catching up with innovation, recognizing that stable coins offer speed, reliability, and little human intervention." The use of smart contracts on distributed ledger technology (DLT)  embeds compliance checks automatically, simplifying transactions and making life easier for all stakeholders.

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For businesses, this clearly signals that stablecoin rails are production-ready. Cedar Money's sub-24-hour settlement model is a direct application of this infrastructure at scale.

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The UAE corridor is becoming a strategic priority

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The geographic distribution of trade corridors is evolving. China remains the dominant trade partner for Africa, but the UAE is gaining ground quickly, and for structural reasons.

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"The stability of currencies, availability of better financing options, and the ability to protect against currency risk are driving African businesses to prioritise corridors like the UAE over direct trade with China," said Fagade.

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The UAE is functioning as an aggregator—a hub through which goods previously sourced directly from China or the US now flow more predictably. Nnajim added that stablecoin liquidity in the UAE-Africa corridor is already deep enough for merchants to rely on at scale, alongside Africa-Asia corridors including India, China, and Hong Kong.

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Fragmentation remains the core challenge

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Despite progress, fragmentation across African markets continues to slow businesses down. Regulatory frameworks differ by country, licensing requirements stack up, and payment settlement processes are still inconsistent.

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"Fragmentation exists not only in markets but also in payment settlement processes, making it critical for African nations to collaborate on regulatory frameworks, particularly for stablecoins," said Nnajim.

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Ogunleye pointed to Europe's MiCA regulation as a model: regional harmonisation that removes duplicative licensing and simplifies market access. She noted that progress is already underway—PSP passporting agreements between Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana suggest that virtual asset frameworks are converging, even if full harmonisation will take time.

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In the interim, platforms that already operate across multiple regulatory environments—Cedar Money covers 9 African markets—provide the infrastructure for businesses to move now, without waiting for the regulatory landscape to fully settle.

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The future is hybrid: digital and traditional, working together

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None of the panellists argued for wholesale disruption of traditional banking. The consensus was convergence.

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"The future involves increasing collaboration and convergence between the digital and traditional banking worlds, with no entity being completely replaced," said Fagade. "The future is a hybrid world where interconnected parties work together."

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Nnajim elaborated on how this plays out practically: banks will partner with fintech infrastructure providers—embedding faster payment rails within existing banking systems—rather than competing with them. The businesses that benefit most will be those that can access both worlds simultaneously.

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The takeaway

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Africa's cross-border payment challenge isn't primarily a technology problem anymore. It's a trust and compliance problem. As Fagade summarized: "Africa must prioritize building compliance infrastructure, not just technology, to ensure the continent is trusted globally."

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For businesses, that means treating treasury as a strategic function, not a cost center, using digital rails to optimize FX exposure, accelerating settlement cycles, and building compliance workflows that enable expansion rather than slow it.

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Expansion moves at the speed of settlement. And the infrastructure to support it is ready.

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For a deeper analysis of the regulatory shifts, corridor dynamics, and strategic frameworks shaping cross-border trade in 2026, download Cedar's full whitepaper, Key Cross-Border Trade Shifts in Q1 2026.

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We're excited to announce that Cedar Money is now officially registered with the Bank of Canada under the Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA).

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This builds on our existing regulatory foundation, alongside our registrations with FINTRAC in Canada and FinCEN in the United States, and marks another step in how we continue to strengthen the platform as we scale globally.

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It reinforces our commitment to operating with the highest standards of compliance and transparency, and positions Cedar to scale globally while protecting the businesses that depend on us.

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If you're using Cedar to move money across borders, this registration directly benefits you. Here's why it matters.

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What Is the RPAA?

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Canada's Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA) is a comprehensive regulatory framework introduced by the Government of Canada to oversee payment service providers (PSPs) operating in the Canadian market.

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In practice, the RPAA requires payment service providers to register with the Bank of Canada, demonstrate operational and financial stability, implement rigorous compliance programs, and maintain high standards of transparency and security.

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For businesses like Cedar Money that facilitate cross-border payments, RPAA registration signals that we meet the regulatory standards expected of financial institutions operating in one of the world's most respected and stable financial markets.

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What RPAA Registration Means for Cedar Customers

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1. Added confidence in your payment infrastructure

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If you're running a business that depends on cross-border payments, you need infrastructure you can trust.

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RPAA registration means that Cedar's platform has been evaluated and approved by the Bank of Canada, one of the world's most respected financial regulators. This isn't self-certification; it's external validation that Cedar meets rigorous standards for operational stability, transparency, and consumer protection.

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For you, this translates into:

• Peace of mind: Your payments are processed on a platform that meets institutional-grade regulatory standards
• Reduced risk: Cedar's compliance framework protects you from the risks associated with unregulated or under-regulated payment providers
• Trust at scale: Whether you're processing $500,000 monthly or $30 million monthly, you're operating on infrastructure designed to handle institutional-grade volume with regulatory oversight

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2. No change to what you love about Cedar

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Here's what RPAA registration doesn't change:

• Speed: We're still settling payments in under 24 hours.
• Transparency: No hidden fees, no surprise FX markups. What you see is what you pay.
• Control: You still have full control over your FX strategy with tools that enable you to hold USD and send you notifications when rates hit your set target for specific currency pairs.
• Coverage: We still support payments across 190+ countries and collections from 9 African markets.
• Ease of use: The same streamlined dashboard, intuitive workflows, and responsive support you've come to expect.

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RPAA registration strengthens the foundation beneath these features; it doesn't slow them down or complicate them. You get the same Cedar experience, now backed by an even stronger regulatory framework.

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3. Long-term stability as Cedar scales

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As Cedar grows, adding new markets, new features, and new partnerships, RPAA registration ensures we're scaling responsibly.

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For you, this means:

• Cedar isn't going anywhere: Regulatory compliance is a key indicator of business stability. Platforms that operate outside regulatory frameworks face a higher risk of disruption, shutdowns, or service interruptions.
• Your platform scales with you: As your business grows and your payment volumes increase, Cedar's infrastructure (regulatory, operational, and technical) is built to grow with you.
• Future-proofing: As global regulatory standards continue to tighten (especially around cross-border payments and stablecoins), Cedar is ahead of the curve, not playing catch-up.

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Cedar was built on a simple premise: cross-border payments should be fast, transparent, and reliable. But speed without compliance is unsustainable. And compliance without speed is irrelevant.

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With RPAA registration, alongside our FINTRAC and FinCEN registrations, we’re continuing to build both– a platform that moves quickly and meets the standards required to operate globally.

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Thank you for trusting Cedar with your cross-border payments. We're committed to building infrastructure that not only moves fast but also meets the highest standards of security, compliance, and reliability.

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Here's to continued growth, yours and ours.

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In 2025, African businesses learned something essential about cross-border payments: faster does not always mean easier, and cheaper does not always mean better.

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For operators moving money across EMEA, cross-border payments are no longer a background function. They became a daily operational risk. Teams that survived and grew were not the ones chasing the fastest rails or the lowest headline fees. They were the ones who designed payment strategies around the realities of African liquidity, FX volatility, compliance friction, and settlement uncertainty.

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Here is what 2025 taught businesses operating in and with Africa about cross-border trade and why these lessons matter even more now in 2026.

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1. FX volatility became an acute operational issue, not merely a treasury matter

FX has always mattered. What changed in 2025 was how unforgiving it became.

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Across Africa, thin FX liquidity, widening spreads, and periodic capital controls meant that small currency moves had an outsized impact. In industries like logistics, FMCG distribution, and B2B services, where margins often sit between 3–7%, a 2–3% FX swing during settlement could wipe out profitability entirely.

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In 2025, several major African currencies experienced 5–20% volatility swings against the USD during periods of delayed settlement, driven by dollar shortages, central bank interventions, and offshore pricing mismatches. When payments took days to land, businesses were effectively running unhedged FX exposure without choosing to.

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FX stopped being something you reviewed at month-end. It became something that shaped pricing, cash-flow timing, and supplier negotiations in real time.

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The main lesson here is that FX risk management can no longer be left on the back burner. It must be embedded into how payments are structured, timed, and held, not managed after value is already lost.

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This is why more African operators began holding value in stable settlement currencies and converting only when needed. Tools like Cedar Hold give teams more control over timing, reduce exposure to sudden FX swings, and make currency decisions intentional rather than reactive.

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2. Stable-coins quietly reshaped cross-border payments

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One of the biggest structural shifts of 2025  was stable-coins becoming operationally relevant.

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There was an uptick in African businesses using stable-coins beyond speculation, but as payment infrastructure: to move value faster, bypass multiple correspondent banks, and reduce exposure to volatile local liquidity during transit.

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Stable-coins compressed settlement time and removed layers of intermediaries—but they did not eliminate the real world.

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Once value touched fiat—paying suppliers, staff, or regulators—banks, compliance checks, and local controls still applied. The winners in 2025 were not those who replaced banks entirely, but those who combined new rails with trusted financial partners.

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Stable-coins improved speed and control, but certainty, compliance, and payout reliability still determine whether a payment actually works.

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Cedar’s architecture is built on stable-coin rails that enable high-volume fund settlements (up to $30M) in 24 hours, combining new-rail speed with trusted fiat on- and off-ramps, helping African and global businesses balance speed, liquidity, and compliance.

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3. Speed without certainty is still not enough

2025 exposed a hard truth: “instant” often means sent, not ****settled.

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While new rails reduced initiation time, last-mile delays remained common. Transactions were still flagged, queued, or paused once they entered traditional banking systems, especially in African corridors with heightened compliance scrutiny.

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The Financial Stability Board’s 2025 progress report warned that the world is likely to miss its 2027 G20 target for making cross-border payments faster and cheaper. Currently, only 35% of retail and 55% of wholesale payments are credited within one hour, which falls short of the 75% goal. For African businesses, this translated into uneven outcomes: fast credits in some corridors, and unpredictable delays in others.

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The fact remains that speed only matters when paired with certainty. So, when a company promises “instant payments,” it’s worth asking: instant settlement, or just instant sending?

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4. Local rails moved from promise to practice

2025 marked a shift from theory to execution for African payment infrastructure.

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The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) expanded to connect over 150 commercial banks, enabling direct local-currency clearing without dollar intermediation. Meanwhile, platforms like the COMESA Digital Retail Payments Platform entered live trials, targeting sub-3% transaction costs.

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These systems are not universal yet, but they are live, improving, and already changing how regional trade works.

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Now, businesses that align flows with local and regional rails gain operational leverage—lower costs, faster settlement, and reduced FX dependency.

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5. Cross-border payments became strategic infrastructure

For African founders, CFOs, and operators, the ability to predict settlement timelines, manage FX intentionally, and move large volumes compliantly became a competitive advantage. With digital B2B cross-border payments growing at nearly 10% annually, the businesses that scaled were those that treated payments as core infrastructure, not an afterthought.

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Lesson: Payments are no longer just about getting paid. They determine how far and how fast you can operate globally.

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Where this leaves African businesses in 2026

The year 2025 taught us that speed without clarity is unstable, that volatility requires operational thinking, and that transparency is not optional. As we do business in 2026, keep these goals in mind:

• Plan FX thoughtfully and do not chase rates. Embed FX risk into your daily operational decision-making.
• Demand certainty with speed. Payment finality and status tracking matter more than travel time alone.
• Choose infrastructure that works with local realities. The future of cross-border trade lies in hybrid flows that combine modern rails with global connectivity.

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Conclusion

At Cedar, we saw these patterns play out daily across African businesses moving value globally. Companies that had real-time FX visibility, high-volume capacity, liquidity access, and clear settlement certainty stopped fearing cross-border complexity and started using it as an advantage.

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2025 didn’t just teach businesses to move faster. It taught them to build systems where speed, access, liquidity, and compliance coexist.

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In 2026, don’t just chase faster payments. Build infrastructure you can trust as well.

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Ready to apply these lessons to your business? Explore Cedar Money’s Scalable Payment Solutions

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In cross-border trade, timing is everything. But for most African businesses, timing is also what they don’t control.

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When your supplier sends an invoice, you rush to buy FX, even if rates are terrible. You scramble for liquidity. You absorb rate shocks. And sometimes, you simply can’t move fast enough to take advantage of market dips.

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That’s the reality most importers, exporters, and financial institutions face: a system that makes FX reactive, not strategic.

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With Cedar HOLD, we’re changing that.

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Cedar HOLD gives businesses the freedom to decide when to buy, when to hold, and when to pay, all from one secure account. It’s not just a feature; it’s a smarter way to manage your business treasury.

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Why Cedar HOLD exists

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In volatile FX markets across Africa, from the naira to the cedi, shilling, and rand, businesses lose millions each year, not because of inefficiency, but because of timing.

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When you’re forced to buy FX at payout time, you’re playing defence. By the time rates spike, it’s too late to act.

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Cedar HOLD turns FX management into a proactive advantage. Instead of reacting to the market, you plan around it.

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With HOLD, your business can:

• Buy FX when rates are favourable
• Hold funds securely in USD
• Pay suppliers directly when needed

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And because everything happens within your Cedar account, you get total visibility and control over your funds.

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What Cedar HOLD does

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Cedar HOLD is built to give you complete flexibility without added operational or additional compliance requirements.

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Here’s how it works in practice:

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1. Buy FX when it makes sense

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Convert your local currency (NGN, GHS, ZAR, KES, etc.) to USD directly from your Cedar dashboard.

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You can place market orders and lock in favourable rates ahead of payout time, instead of waiting until invoices are due.

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Example:

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If you’re an importer expecting to pay a supplier in 30 days, and the USD/NGN rate drops today, you can buy now, hold in your Cedar balance, and pay later, effectively locking in your savings.

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How to Buy:

1. Click “Add” in your Cedar dashboard.
2. Enter the amount you want to buy and choose your funding currency.
3. You’ll receive a quote from Cedar.
4. Approve the quote and fund your account.
5. Once verified, your USD balance is credited instantly.

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2. Hold when it’s steady

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Once your FX is purchased, it sits securely in your Cedar balance, ready whenever you are.

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Holding FX in your Cedar account helps you:

• Protect your treasury from local currency devaluation.
• Avoid forced conversions back into volatile currencies.
• Keep funds safely until you need it.

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Idle local cash shouldn’t lose value while waiting for payments. With HOLD, your USD balance preserves your purchasing power until you need it.

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3. Pay when it’s time

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When your invoice is due, pay your global suppliers directly from your stored balance.

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You can send payments to over 190+ countries in USD, EUR, GBP, or CNY, without having to scramble for liquidity, experience the usual delays, or wait for manual approvals.

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How to Pay:

1. Click “Pay” in your dashboard.
2. Enter the amount, vendor details, and purpose of payment.
3. Approve the quote and confirm the transaction.
4. Track your payout in real time until it’s marked “Arrived.”

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It’s so much easier and faster to execute on your terms. 12qa

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Why Cedar HOLD matters

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FX should be a strategic advantage, not a liability.

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Yet, most African businesses today buy currency under pressure. Rates rise, invoices are due, and payments stall. Margins erode quietly, not because of bad business, but because of bad timing.

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Cedar HOLD changes that by separating when you buy from when you pay.

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That separation gives you what every business needs: control.

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With HOLD, you:

• Protect profit margins by buying FX when rates are best.
• Fund payouts in advance to eliminate delays.
• Hedge against local currency volatility.
• Operate confidently with transparent pricing and institutional-grade compliance.

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It’s treasury management designed for African realities and global standards.

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Every HOLD account operates within Cedar’s regulated framework, built to meet international standards without adding new licensing burdens for your business.

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Our infrastructure partners are licensed and regulated, and our platform is designed to keep your funds safe and your operations compliant.

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That means you can buy, hold, and pay across borders confidently, knowing that Cedar has done the heavy lifting on compliance, security, and reporting.

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Who HOLD is for

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Cedar HOLD is built for African businesses that transact globally.

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That includes:

• Importers paying overseas suppliers
• Exporters managing USD receivables
• Financial institutions optimising liquidity and client settlements
• Corporate treasurers managing multi-market exposure

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If FX volatility affects your margins, HOLD is for you. Now you can: buy when it’s smart, hold because it’s safe and pay when it’s time.

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Whether you’re paying suppliers, managing treasury, or planning cross-border growth, HOLD gives you one account and total control.

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Get started today

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1. Visit https://www.cedar.money/hold
2. Create your Cedar account
3. Verify your business
4. Start buying, holding, and paying when you need to.

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If you’re an African business owner looking to source quality products, expand supplier networks, or explore new market opportunities, there’s one place that is no doubt on your 2025 calendar: The Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China.

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Often called the “Olympics of Trade,” the Canton Fair is the world’s largest and oldest trade exhibition, attracting over 253,000 international buyers from 214 countries and regions, with African businesses representing one of the fastest-growing buyer demographics. Every year, thousands of African importers, merchants, and business owners arrive at Guangzhou, China, to source everything from electronics to textiles, building materials and consumer goods.

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But many leave empty-handed or with suboptimal deals because they don't understand that sourcing success at the Canton Fair is more than just finding products; it's about having the operational infrastructure to close deals faster than your competitors.

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This guide walks you through how to maximise the 2025 Canton Fair, from pre- and post-fair events. More importantly, it shows you how to turn vendor contacts into real, profitable business relationships.

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Why the Canton Fair Matters for African Businesses

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The Canton Fair (also called the China Import and Export Fair) is held twice annually in Guangzhou, China. It's the largest trade event in the world by exhibition scale, featuring over 31,000 exhibiting firms, with over 3,300 new exhibitors joining the lineup for the upcoming 138th session.

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To put that in perspective: The fair spans ~74,000 booths across a total exhibition area of approximately 1.55 million square meters. That's equivalent to 200+ football fields of product displays, networking opportunities, and sourcing possibilities.

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For African businesses, the Canton Fair represents something more profound than just a sourcing event. It's direct access to the world's manufacturing backbone at a scale and price point that's rarely available elsewhere.

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Why African Businesses Are Flocking to the Canton Fair

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African importers and business owners attend the Canton Fair for specific, high-value reasons:

• Direct Access to Verified Chinese Suppliers: Instead of navigating online platforms or relying on middlemen, you meet manufacturers face-to-face. You can inspect product quality, verify certifications, and assess production capacity in real time.
• Significant Cost Savings from Bulk Buying: Chinese manufacturers offer aggressive pricing at scale. A bulk order placed at the Canton Fair can be 15-30% cheaper than ordering through online channels due to the elimination of middlemen and direct negotiation.
• Exposure to Innovation and New Product Trends: The fair showcases the latest manufacturing innovations. You get early access to trending products, new materials, and manufacturing techniques before they saturate the market.
• Opportunities for Building Long-Term Supplier Relationships: One-time deals become repeat business. Suppliers who meet you in person are more willing to offer flexible terms, and better pricing in future transactions.
• Efficiency at Scale: For the 137th Fair, by the end of Phase 2, approximately 224,372 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions attended. This density of buyers creates a competitive environment where suppliers are motivated to offer their best terms to secure business.

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The 2025 Canton Fair Dates

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The 138th Canton Fair runs in three phases throughout October-November 2025:

• Phase 1 (October 15-19): Electronics, appliances, industrial manufacturing, hardware
• Phase 2 (October 23-27): Home decor, furniture, housewares, consumer goods
• Phase 3 (October 31-November 4): Textiles, clothing, health products, medical equipment

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Your first strategic decision is to decide: Which phase aligns with your product category?

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What Is the Canton Fair (and Why Is It Worth Your Time)

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Understanding the Fair's Structure

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The Canton Fair operates in two formats: a physical onsite exhibition and the online virtual fair. Most African businesses prioritize the physical experience because it allows for face-to-face negotiations, product sampling, and relationship building, elements that digital interactions can't replicate.

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The fair also holds in three phases:

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Phase 1: Industrial & Technology Focus

• Target suppliers: Electronics manufacturers, appliance makers, machinery producers, industrial hardware.
• Best for: Tech-driven importers, OEM/ODM buyers, industrial retailers.
• Why African businesses care: Quality electronics and appliances command premium margins in African markets. Direct sourcing at Canton Fair eliminates middlemen and improves profitability.

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Phase 2: Consumer Goods & Home Furnishings

• Target suppliers: Furniture makers, home décor producers, kitchenware manufacturers, consumer lifestyle brands.
• Best for: Retailers, home goods aggregators, furniture importers.
• Why African businesses care: Home and lifestyle products are high-margin, trend-sensitive categories. Direct access to manufacturers means you can stay ahead of market trends.

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Phase 3: Textiles, Apparel & Health Products

• Target suppliers: Clothing manufacturers, textile producers, footwear makers, health and wellness brands.
• Best for: Fashion importers, apparel retailers, health product distributors.
• Why African businesses care: Fashion and textiles are extremely trend-sensitive. Face-to-face relationships with manufacturers mean early access to seasonal collections and custom production capabilities.

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The Scale of Opportunity

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The sheer volume of suppliers is staggering. Over 31,000 exhibiting firms means you have access to:

• Multiple competing suppliers for virtually any product
• Diverse product quality tiers (from budget to premium)
• Various production scales (from small batch to massive volume)
• Different service models (OEM, ODM, wholesale, dropship)

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This competition works in your favor. Suppliers want your business and will offer competitive pricing, flexible terms, and customization options to win it.

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Why African Businesses Should Care

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1. Cost Leadership

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Buying directly from Chinese manufacturers at the Canton Fair can reduce your product costs by 15-40% compared to buying through distributors or online marketplaces. On a $100,000 order, that's $15,000-$40,000 in cost savings or margin improvement.

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2. Quality Assurance

You inspect products before committing to bulk orders. You verify certifications, check manufacturing processes, and assess quality control systems firsthand.

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3. Speed to Market

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Direct relationships with manufacturers mean shorter lead times. A supplier that likes you will prioritize your orders, reduce production timelines, and expedite shipping.

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4. Customization and Innovation

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Many African markets have specific requirements like voltage standards, packaging preferences, branding needs. Direct suppliers can accommodate these requests more flexibly than online marketplaces.

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Now that you understand why the Canton Fair matters, let's talk about how to prepare effectively.

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Preparing for the Canton Fair

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Success at the Canton Fair begins before you arrive in Guangzhou. Seeing as the upcoming fair is just 6 days away, we’d assume that you have already registered, secured your invitation and sorted logistics.

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Here are two things you should do to maximize your preparation:

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1. Research in Advance

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Use the Canton Fair Online Directory

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The official Canton Fair website maintains an online directory of all exhibitors, organized by product category and company profile.

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Start your research before your preferred phase:

• Identify 15-20 target suppliers per product category
• Review their company profiles, certifications, and production capacity
• Note their booth locations and exhibition phases
• Check if they have previous experience serving African markets

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Leverage Online Platforms

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Supplement your research with platforms like Made-in-China, Alibaba, and Global Sources. Cross-reference suppliers you find on the Canton Fair directory to verify legitimacy and customer feedback.

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Create a Shortlist

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Narrow your 15-20 prospects to 8-10 priority suppliers. These should be suppliers who:

• Have proven production experience in your product category
• Show evidence of international business (certifications, previous exports)
• Demonstrate reasonable pricing compared to peers
• Have positive customer reviews or references

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2. Define Your Goals

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Before you go, be clear on what success looks like:

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Sourcing Goals:

• How many new suppliers do you want to identify?
• What's your target minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
• What price points are you targeting?

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Relationship Goals:

• Are you looking for long-term partnerships or one-off deals?
• Do you want suppliers who offer OEM/ODM services or standard wholesale?

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Product Goals:

• Are you exploring new product categories or sourcing from existing categories?
• Do you need customization or standard products?

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Write these goals down. They'll guide your decision-making at the fair.

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What African Businesses Can Expect at the Fair

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Walking through the Canton Fair for the first time can be overwhelming. Here's what to expect and how to navigate efficiently.

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What the Fair Looks Like

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Imagine a space the size of 200+ football fields filled with product displays, negotiation areas, and networking hubs. Each exhibitor has a booth (often multiple booths for large companies) displaying their products, company information, and catalogs.

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The atmosphere is professional but energetic. Suppliers are actively seeking new buyers, so they'll approach you with product pitches, pricing proposals, and business cards.

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Walking Through Efficiently

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1. Prioritize Your Shortlist

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Use the first day to visit your pre-researched priority suppliers. This accomplishes two things:

• You confirm the supplier's legitimacy and production capability in person
• You initiate serious negotiations with proven vendors

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2. Leave Room for Discovery

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While visiting your shortlist, explore adjacent booths and nearby suppliers. Some of your best deals could come from unexpected discoveries—suppliers you didn't pre-research, but offer compelling pricing or products.

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3. Time Management

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The fair is massive. You can't visit every supplier. Focus on quality meetings over quantity. Spend 15-20 minutes with each priority supplier, long enough to discuss your needs and exchange information.

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Networking Efficiently

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To make the best quality connections, there are a couple of things to note:

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1. Language Barriers

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Most large suppliers have English-speaking sales representatives. For smaller suppliers, bring:

• A translation app on your phone (Google Translate works well for product discussions)
• Basic Mandarin phrases (suppliers appreciate the effort)
• An interpreter if you're negotiating complex technical requirements

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2. The Business Card Ritual

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Business cards are a cornerstone of Chinese business culture. When meeting suppliers:

• Receive their card with both hands (respectful gesture)
• Take time to read it (don't immediately put it away)
• Exchange your card similarly

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This ritual builds rapport and shows respect for Chinese business customs.

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3. Leverage Group Meetings

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Many suppliers host group presentations or briefings. Attend these—they often reveal production capabilities, certifications, and competitive advantages you won't learn in one-on-one conversations.

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Evaluating Suppliers Critically

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1. Certifications matter and here are some to look for:

• ISO 9001 (quality management)
• CE Marks (for electronics and safety products)
• FDA Approvals (for health and food products)
• Industry-Specific Certifications (depending on your product)

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Ask suppliers to provide copies of their certifications. Legitimate suppliers proudly display them.

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2. Assess Production Capacity

‍

Ask suppliers:

• "What's your typical monthly production volume?"
• "How many shifts do you operate?"
• "What's your current capacity utilization?"

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This tells you whether they can handle your order volume and timeline.

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3. Understand Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)

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MOQs vary widely. Some suppliers accept 100 units per order; others require 10,000+. Negotiate MOQs that align with your business. Smaller MOQs mean more flexibility; larger MOQs mean better per-unit pricing.

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4. Evaluate Payment Flexibility

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This is critical for African businesses. Ask:

• "What payment terms do you offer?" (50% upfront + 50% on delivery? 100% upfront? Net-30?)
• "Do you accept digital payment methods?" (bank transfers, stablecoins, payment platforms)
• "What's your cancellation policy if quality issues arise?"

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Payment flexibility is often a bigger deal than a 5% price discount. A supplier offering Net-30 terms is more valuable than a supplier offering a 5% lower price but demanding 100% upfront payment.

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Handling Samples, Quotes, and Contracts

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Product Samples

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Request samples for critical products. Most suppliers provide samples at minimal cost (often free) during the fair.

‍

Key points:

• Take photos of samples with the supplier's booth number visible
• Get written specification sheets
• Clarify if the sample represents final production quality
• Ask about lead times for actual production

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Quotes

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Request written quotes covering:

• Unit price
• MOQ
• Lead time from order to shipment
• Packaging details
• Shipping cost options (FOB, CIF, etc.)
• Payment terms

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Make sure to compare quotes across 3-4 suppliers before deciding.

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Contracts

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Large orders should be formalized in contracts. Key elements:

• Product specifications and quality standards
• Pricing and payment terms
• Delivery timeline and logistics responsibility
• Quality control and inspection processes
• Dispute resolution mechanisms
• Cancellation policies

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Many suppliers provide template contracts. But be sure to have a legal advisor review before signing.

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Modern Payment Options at the Fair

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An important note: Many exhibitors now accept digital cross-border payments. This is a major shift from even 3-4 years ago. Several large suppliers accept:

• Wire transfers (traditional)
• WeChat Pay / Alipay (for smaller transactions)
• Stablecoin-based payments (increasingly common for B2B transactions)
• Multi-currency payment platforms

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This shift is critical for African businesses because it means you have payment options beyond traditional banking, which can be slow and expensive. We will share more on this later.

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Turning Contacts into Real Deals After the Fair

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The fair ends. You return home with business cards, samples, quotes, and ideas. Now the real work begins: converting contacts into actual, profitable business relationships.

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1. Immediate Follow-Up (Within 48 Hours)

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Send personalized emails to your priority suppliers within 48 hours of the fair. Here’s a short template you can use:

‍

Subject Line: "Follow-up from Canton Fair – [Your Company Name]"

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Email Body:

• Reference your specific conversation (show you actually engaged, not just collected cards)
• Express your interest in their products
• Request updated pricing and timeline information
• Propose a timeline for your first order

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Example: "I enjoyed meeting you at the Canton Fair on October 16th. I was particularly impressed with your LED lighting systems. I'm interested in placing an initial order of 5,000 units and would like to confirm pricing, lead time, and your payment terms. Could we schedule a call next week?"

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2. Vet Suppliers Thoroughly

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Before committing to a large order, verify supplier legitimacy:

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Factory Visit (Ideal but Optional)

‍

Some suppliers offer factory visits to serious buyers. If feasible, schedule a visit before your first order. Observe:

• Production quality and consistency
• Worker conditions (reflects company values)
• Production capacity and equipment
• Quality control processes

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References and Reviews

• Check Made-in-China and Alibaba reviews
• Request references from 3-4 African importers who've worked with this supplier
• Contact those references directly

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Financial Verification

‍

Large orders require confidence in supplier stability, so:

• Request bank references
• Check their business registration and legal status (available through Chinese business registries)
• Assess company age and historical growth

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3. Negotiate Clear Payment Terms

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This is where many African importers struggle. Common payment term options:

• 100% Upfront: Highest risk for you but gives suppliers maximum confidence. Usually results in best pricing.
• 50/50 Split: 50% upfront to initiate production, 50% upon delivery. Balanced risk.
• Net-30 or Net-60: Payment due 30-60 days after delivery. Requires strong supplier confidence in your creditworthiness but is best for your cash flow.

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Negotiation Strategy: Start by proposing Net-30 or 50/50 terms. Most suppliers will counter with 100% upfront. Meet in the middle at 50/50 or 60/40. Frame it as: "I'm a serious buyer looking for a long-term relationship. Favorable payment terms help me commit to larger volumes."

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4. Establish Quality Control Standards

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Before the first shipment, agree on:

• Inspection protocols: How will you verify quality before accepting goods?
• Acceptable defect rate: What percentage of defective units is acceptable?
• Testing standards: Will products be tested before shipment?
• Return/replacement policy: What happens if quality issues arise?

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You want to put these in writing as they protect both you and the supplier.

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How Cedar Money Simplifies Payments After the Canton Fair

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After the Canton Fair, you're managing multiple supplier relationships, juggling different payment timelines, and navigating currency conversions.

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This is where most African businesses encounter operational friction that erodes their Canton Fair cost savings. Cedar Money simplifies this complexity.

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What Cedar Money Offers

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1. Multi-Currency Support

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Pay suppliers in their preferred currency: USD, CNY, EUR, GBP.

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2. Settlement in Less than 24 Hours

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Unlike traditional banking (5-7 days), Cedar settles payments in less than 24 hours through stablecoin rails and strategic partnerships.

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What does this mean operationally?

• Suppliers receive payment confirmation faster
• Production starts on the original timeline (not 5-7 days later)
• Your goods ship on schedule
• You avoid demurrage, storage fees, and schedule delays

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For a $2 million payment, that 5-6 day acceleration is worth thousands in avoided delays.

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3. Competitive FX Rates

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Cedar prices FX conversion at competitive market rates, no hidden markups, no undisclosed fees.

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4. Transparent Fee Structure

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You know exactly what you're paying. No surprise charges hidden in exchange rates.

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5. Access to 190+ Countries

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Cedar can send payments to China, US, Vietnam, India, and 190+ other countries. Whether you're paying a Guangzhou manufacturer or a supplier in another country, Cedar has the rails.

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Conclusion

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The Canton Fair isn't just a sourcing trip. It's a gateway to global growth for African businesses.

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Every year, thousands of African importers walk through those 74,000 booths, meet suppliers, negotiate deals, and return home excited about new product lines and cost savings. But many never realize their full Canton Fair potential because they lack the operational infrastructure to convert those contacts into consistent, profitable business.

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The importers who truly succeed at the Canton Fair are the ones who:

1. Prepare thoroughly: Know which suppliers to target before you arrive
2. Negotiate strategically: Lead with payment reliability, not just price
3. Execute flawlessly: Convert supplier contacts into formal business relationships
4. Leverage infrastructure: Use payment platforms that accelerate settlement and reduce costs

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Get ready to trade smarter this Canton Fair and when it's time to settle payments, let Cedar Money help you do it seamlessly. Get started today!

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Three weeks for a payment to clear. Hidden fees that add 30% to invoice values. Suppliers demanding 60% upfront before shipping. Welcome to cross-border trade in Africa, where "global commerce" often dies at the payment stage.

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In the unnecessarily complex world of international trade today, trust is currency. But for African importers and their overseas suppliers, that trust is increasingly strained by a growing "trust gap" driven by currency volatility and systemic payment barriers. What emerges is a high-stakes game where businesses must navigate enormous risks just to keep goods flowing across borders.

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The Scale of the Problem

‍

The numbers paint a stark picture of Africa's trade finance crisis. Banks in many African markets finance just 25% of goods trade, far below the 60-80% financing rates seen in developed economies, according to a recent IFC study of West Africa. This financing shortfall has cascading effects: globally, half of all SME trade finance requests are rejected, leaving businesses scrambling for alternatives.

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The unmet demand is staggering. Africa faces an annual trade finance gap estimated at $100-120 billion, with SMEs—which comprise 80-90% of African businesses—bearing the brunt of this shortage. These companies often lack access to traditional instruments like Letters of Credit or bank guarantees, forcing them into precarious payment arrangements.

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‍

The Trust dilemma: Risk Allocation Gone Wrong

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This financing gap creates a dangerous imbalance in risk allocation between buyers and sellers.

‍

African importers: bearing disproportionate risk

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With bank financing severely constrained, African importers face an impossible choice. Many must pay for imports entirely up front or scramble for scarce foreign exchange in rationed markets. In Nigeria, for instance, nearly all import FX is rationed, with "not valid for forex" appearing on almost every Form M, forcing businesses to seek alternative funding sources.

‍

The Central Bank of Nigeria historically excluded 43 product categories—from rice and cement to textiles and packaged food—from official FX access. While restrictions on 43 items were lifted in 2023, the legacy of exclusion continues to push importers toward expensive parallel markets and non-traditional payment channels.

‍

This pattern isn't unique to Nigeria. Import regimes across East and Southern Africa routinely flag entire sectors—textiles, furniture, steel, plastics, agriculture—as ineligible for official FX support. The result is systematic exclusion from formal banking channels precisely when businesses need them most.

‍

Similar challenges plague importers across the Gulf of Africa region, creating a continent-wide crisis where legitimate businesses are forced into informal markets to survive.

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Overseas Suppliers: Demanding Certainty

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On the other side of the equation, international suppliers, burned by high rejection rates for trade finance, increasingly demand guaranteed payments before shipping goods. However, African buyers lacking bank credit cannot provide these assurances, creating a standoff that stifles trade.

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As the WTO notes, "SMEs in developing countries face the greatest challenges in accessing trade finance," with Africa's shortfall representing roughly one-third of its total market need.

‍

The Cost of Inadequate Infrastructure

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Even when traditional trade finance instruments are available, they come at a premium that many African businesses cannot afford.

‍

Letters of Credit in African markets typically cost 2-4% per transaction—an order of magnitude higher than the 0.25-0.5% rates common in advanced economies. These fees erode already thin profit margins and push smaller players toward informal channels, further fragmenting the market.

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How Businesses Adapt

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Faced with these constraints, businesses have developed workarounds, but at significant cost:

• Advance payment arrangements: Many traders now operate with 40-60% advance payment requirements, shifting enormous risk to importers
• Parallel market solutions: Companies turn to unofficial FX dealers, cryptocurrency, or diaspora networks to bridge payment gaps
• Reduced scale operations: Some businesses simply order less or accept months-long delays for partial shipments

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These alternatives come with steep costs. As of 2023, remittance fees in Sub-Saharan Africa averaged 8.5%, and Nigeria alone reportedly lost $17 billion to FX arbitrage in the year before. The result is a system where fragmented FX access and payment delays systematically undermine trade efficiency.

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Africa's Import Dependency Problem

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The trade finance crisis is particularly acute given Africa's import structure. Only about 18% of Africa's imports are sourced within the continent, compared to 60-70% of trade that stays within Asia or Europe. This heavy reliance on external suppliers magnifies the impact of payment difficulties.

‍

In 2023, African merchandise imports totalled approximately $676 billion, yet banks could supply only a fraction of the needed trade finance. Even with improved FX reforms, many companies still see less than 40% of their financing needs met through official channels.

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‍

Cedar Money's Perspective

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At Cedar Money, we witness these challenges daily. From speaking to our clients, we realised that beyond access (or the lack thereof) to FX, businesses face very real, very frustrating problems when it comes to building trust. International exporters increasingly seek our reassurance when banks cannot issue Letters of Credit promptly.

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These aren't merely operational inconveniences; they represent existential challenges. FX delays mean delayed contracts, eroded supplier relationships, and increased friction throughout supply chains. The cumulative effect undermines Africa's integration into global trade networks.

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The Path Forward

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The fundamental question facing African businesses is clear: How can commerce continue to grow in a system where trusted, affordable FX access remains scarce?

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We believe the answer lies in reimagining cross-border payments through new liquidity networks and technology solutions. When businesses can pay suppliers reliably and suppliers trust in payment certainty, trade flows naturally increase. Research demonstrates that each dollar of trade finance can support dozens more in actual trade volume.

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The solution isn't simply policy reform or exchange rate adjustments; it requires building infrastructure that makes FX access faster, more transparent, and business-friendly. Only by addressing the fundamental trust gap can African businesses fully participate in global commerce and unlock the continent's enormous economic potential.

‍

The current system forces businesses into survival mode. The future requires tools that enable them to thrive.

‍

Ready to Transform your Cross-Border Payments?

Cedar Money is building the infrastructure that makes reliable, transparent cross-border payments possible for African businesses and their global partners.

Whether you're an importer struggling with FX access or an exporter seeking payment certainty, we're here to help you move beyond the constraints of traditional banking.

Get started with Cedar Money today and join the businesses already experiencing faster, more affordable international payments.

Have questions about how Cedar Money can support your specific trade needs? Contact our team for a consultation.

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Here's a number that should terrify every African importer: 52% of African businesses are operating in a constant cash flow crunch, not because they're unprofitable, but because their money is trapped in transit for weeks at a time.

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While you're waiting 5-7 days for payments to clear, your competitors in São Paulo are settling with the same Chinese suppliers in under 24 hours. Guess who's getting priority when production capacity is tight?

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While the global economy moves at internet speed, African importers are still fighting a cash flow war with weapons from the banking stone age. You’re depending on a system that was never built with them in mind. And it’s not only costing time, it's systematically destroying your competitive position.

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The Real Cost of Slow Money

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Most importers focus on the obvious costs—those 8.9% transaction fees that turn a $100,000 payment into $91,100. While these fees were way more than the global average in 2020 (6.8%), the hidden costs are where the real damage happens.

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Every day your payment sits in transit is another day of:

• Opportunity cost: That $500,000 could be generating returns or securing better supplier terms elsewhere instead of being tied up.
• Relationship strain: Suppliers start viewing you as high-risk, leading to stricter payment terms or lost priority status
• Competitive disadvantage: While you're waiting for payments to clear, competitors with faster settlement are securing better deals
• Supplier friction: Globally, payment friction is a common story: one in three SMEs have faced failed or late cross-border payments, according to Mastercard’s Borderless Payments Report. In South Africa alone, over 90% of SMEs report being paid later than the agreed 30-day terms. For African importers, this directly translates into shipments held back, strained supplier trust, and higher costs.

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What most importers don't realize is that the difference between a 7-day settlement and a 24-hour settlement isn't just 6 days, it's what tips the scales against you from being a preferred customer to being managed as a risk.

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Why Speed Became the New Currency

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The global supply chain doesn't wait for African banking infrastructure to catch up. Chinese manufacturers can choose between an importer in Lagos who pays in 7 days and one in São Paulo who pays in 24 hours.

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This isn't just theory. Recent data shows that businesses switching from traditional banking rails to faster payment systems can unlock $11.6 billion in working capital that would otherwise sit idle. For individual importers, this translates to:

• 2-3x faster inventory turnover: When you can pay suppliers within 24 hours instead of a week, you can restock faster and capture more sales cycles.
• Stronger negotiating position: Suppliers offer better terms to customers they trust to pay quickly.
• Reduced financing costs: Less time waiting for payments means less need for expensive trade finance or overdraft facilities.

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The question isn't whether fast payments matter, it's whether you can afford to keep operating without them.

‍

The Stable-coin Advantage: Why Technology Matters

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While traditional banks route your payments through correspondent banking networks (think multiple pit stops across different time zones), stablecoin-powered platforms like Cedar Money take a direct route.

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Here's how it works: Instead of your Naira traveling through multiple banks across three continents, losing time and value at each stop, Cedar's stable-coin rails convert your payment once and deliver it directly to your supplier within 24 hours.

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The result? T+1 settlement that turns your accounts payable into a competitive edge rather than a cash flow anchor.

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At the end of the day, it's less about the technology itself and more about what the technology enables. Stable-coins aren't just faster; they're predictable. When you can guarantee payment within 24 hours instead of "3-7 business days," you're not just moving money faster, you're building a different kind of business.

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The Strategic Play: Making Speed your Moat

‍

Smart African importers are already using settlement speed as a competitive moat. They're approaching suppliers not just with competitive prices, but with a value proposition that goes beyond cost: certainty and speed.

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When you can guarantee T+1 payment, you're not just another customer, you're the customer suppliers want to work with. This translates into:

• First access to new products: Suppliers share new inventory with customers they trust.
• Better payment terms: Paradoxically, paying faster often means getting longer terms when you need them.
• Priority during supply crunches: When raw materials are scarce, reliable customers get served first.
• Reduced transaction costs: Suppliers often offer better pricing to customers who pay predictably.

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The importer who controls payment speed controls supplier relationships. Those who understand this aren't just solving a payment problem, they're building a structural advantage that compounds over time.

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Beyond Payments: The Ecosystem Effect

‍

Here's where it gets interesting. Fast payments don't just solve the payment problem, they unlock the entire trade finance ecosystem.

‍

When Cedar enables T+1 settlements, you're not just getting faster payments. You're getting:

• Transparent fee structure that eliminates surprise charges and hidden costs
• Predictable cash flow cycles that make financial planning actually possible
• Reduced FX exposure because payments settle before currency volatility can impact your deals
• Access to high-volume capabilities that can scale with your business growth

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This ecosystem approach is what separates platforms like Cedar from traditional payment processors. Instead of just moving money faster, you're accessing a complete infrastructure designed around the needs of African importers.

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The Road Ahead: Why Early Adopters Win

‍

The African import landscape is at an inflection point. While most businesses are still fighting yesterday's cash flow battles with yesterday's tools, a small group of importers is already operating with tomorrow's infrastructure.

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These early adopters aren't just saving time and money, they're building businesses that operate fundamentally differently. They're turning payment speed into customer service, cash flow predictability into growth capital, and settlement certainty into supplier relationships that competitors can't match.

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The question for every African importer is simple: Are you going to be disrupted by businesses with better payment infrastructure, or are you going to be the one doing the disrupting?

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Because while your competitors are still explaining to suppliers why their payments are delayed, you could be explaining to your customers why your shelves are always stocked.

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Ready to turn settlement speed into your competitive advantage? Cedar Money's T+1 payment infrastructure helps African importers process up to $30M daily with predictable, transparent settlement. Because in today's economy, the business that moves fastest wins. Talk to us today!

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Today, we’re sitting down with Maya Har Noy, VP Financial Strategy here at Cedar Money, to discuss her experience within the payments industry, how she aligns Cedar Money’s financial strategy with regulatory environments across diverse jurisdictions and how we mitigate risks in the process.

‍

You’ve spent years navigating financial systems and regulatory frameworks, what drew you to Cedar Money, and what keeps you energized about the mission here?

‍

I’ve been in payments since 2005, working across card acquiring, wire transfers, EMIs, and even crypto. In my last venture, I worked with digital assets and cryptocurrencies, though at that time it was mostly speculative When we started Cedar, what really struck me was how broken the system is in many developing jurisdictions. Payments that should be simple were slow, and unreliable.

‍

That’s when I saw the potential of stablecoins, not as a speculative asset, but as a new rail to complement (and in some cases fix) the broken rails of SWIFT and other legacy systems. Using blockchain for real-world use cases that genuinely improve people’s lives is what excites me most.

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When merchants tell us it used to take them 10 to 14 business days to get a payment out, and now with Cedar we can help them settle in less than 48 hours, that’s when the mission feels real. That’s when it goes beyond efficiency to creating access, trust, and speed where it’s needed most.

‍

How have you been able to apply your extensive fintech and regulatory background to shape Cedar’s overall financial strategy?

‍

I see building a fintech as solving a puzzle: every piece matters. At Cedar, that means aligning financial rails, partners, legal frameworks, client needs, and unifying risk and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. My background helps me fit those pieces together in a way that is solid and efficient. While this approach can be more demanding than what some local fintechs pursue, it gives Cedar the stability to serve clients across borders with consistency and longevity. At the end of the day, my goal is to shape a financial strategy that doesn’t just work today, but also transforms how money moves globally in the long run.

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With your experience, how do you make sure Cedar’s strategy aligns with U.S. AML standards while also navigating Africa’s diverse regulatory environments, which are often seen as complex and unique?

‍

Well, we work closely with legal consultants across jurisdictions to ensure compliance, but also look for unique ways to interpret regulations. That sometimes means partnering with regulated institutions in specific markets, and other times building our own licensing infrastructure like what we’re setting up now in Canada and the U.S. What’s most important is always having local lawyers validate that our business model and operations are sound. Essentially, we can be seen as a payment orchestrator similar to the card network where it brings together different financial institutions.

‍

Why is licensing important in the payments business, especially across borders?

‍

Licensing is essential because it ensures we’re operating legally across jurisdictions and enables us to partner with top-tier financial institutions worldwide. To build trust and scale, you have to show that you’re running a clean and compliant business. The type of license you need does vary—fiat and crypto are regulated differently. That’s why Cedar is securing multiple licenses across jurisdictions, so we can confidently and legally support all of our money flows.

‍

What licenses does Cedar have or is looking to get?

‍

Cedar is currently in the process of obtaining its MSB license in Canada under FINTRAC, as well as registering with FinCEN in the United States.

‍

What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned from leading financial strategy at a fast-growing fintech?

‍

One of the most interesting lessons is realizing that not everyone in this industry is a competitor. Even when two institutions seem to target the same clients, there’s often space for collaboration and if you share the same risk appetite and infrastructure, you can actually build stronger systems together. Partnerships—whether to expand networks, navigate jurisdictions, or strengthen relationships—are just as important as competition. When all is said and done, it’s those relationships that drive approvals, growth, and long-term success.

‍

How is Cedar enhancing its compliance and monitoring processes to protect users from risks?

‍

Cedar takes a very risk-based approach to compliance. We work primarily with importers and exporters dealing in physical goods, which means every transaction is backed by an invoice. That makes it much easier to research, validate, and approve transactions compared to service-based models. In B2B trade of physical goods, there’s always a clear paper trail: a chain of invoices, shipments, and payments, which greatly reduces the likelihood of money laundering or fraud. We’re also very deliberate about who we onboard. We don’t serve companies with business models that could expose our users to higher risks. And we always prioritize choosing the right partners and ensuring every transaction is transparent, traceable, and secure.

‍

When you think about Cedar’s role in cross-border payments over the next few years, what excites you most about the direction we’re heading?

‍

What excites me most is Cedar’s vision to expand our role as a true payment orchestrator, seamlessly connecting financial institutions and merchants around the world to make cross-border payments faster, simpler, and more efficient. By combining advanced technology with strong regulatory frameworks, we’re building toward a future where Cedar plays a role similar to what Visa is in card payments, but for global cross-border transactions.

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Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy that help you recharge or get inspired?

‍

My biggest passion is horses. My daughter and I both ride and we actually own three horses. While she competes as a show jumper, I ride mostly for fun. For the longest time, horses have been a dream of mine, and we started riding more seriously during the pandemic. Also, I teach NIA, a movement practice that blends dance and martial arts. I don’t get to do it as much in the summer because mornings are for the horses, but it’s another activity that brings me a lot of joy.

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