The Process

From invoice upload to funded — in 48 hours.

No bank relationship managers. No LC delays. Submit once, get a decision the same business day.

Trade finance documents — commercial invoice and bill of lading on a desk

Five steps. Every one has a defined timeline.

Banks leave you waiting without a clock. Here, each step has a target time. If we miss it, you hear from us.

Create your account

Register with your CAC registration number, BVN, and a business contact. Initial KYC takes under 10 minutes. We cross-check your registration against the CAC public register automatically — no manual paperwork at this stage.

Submit the trade documents

Upload your commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, packing list, Form M (for imports), and buyer company details. The application portal shows you exactly which documents are required for your trade type before you start — no chasing a checklist after submission.

AI risk assessment runs

Our model cross-references Nigeria Customs Service records, your previous NCS clearance history, shipment route risk, commodity category, and buyer payment behaviour. Typically completes in 15 minutes. The output is a structured risk summary the underwriter reads directly — not a black-box decision.

Human underwriter review

A Trade Lenda underwriter reads the AI risk summary, validates it against your uploaded documents, and makes the funding decision. Target turnaround: same business day for applications received before 2pm WAT. If the underwriter needs clarification, it is one request — not a rolling back-and-forth.

Funds disbursed

Approved capital transfers to your designated Nigerian business bank account. Repayment follows the agreed schedule — aligned to your trade cycle tenor, not an arbitrary bank calendar. Early repayment carries no penalty; the facility fee is pro-rated to days used.

Who qualifies

We finance registered Nigerian businesses with an active trade record. No physical collateral required for qualifying trades. We do not finance first-time importers or businesses without an NCS clearance history.

Eligibility criteria

Registered Nigerian business (CAC-certified)
Minimum 12 months of trading history
Active NCS customs clearance record
Invoice value ₦5M — ₦500M

What we score

Your customs clearance track record at NCS
Shipment origin and route risk
Overseas buyer payment history
Commodity type and market demand

Frequently asked questions

How is Trade Lenda different from a bank LC?

A bank letter of credit involves correspondent bank relationships, manual document verification, and approval chains that average 28 days in Nigeria. Trade Lenda replaces the manual verification layer with AI that reads the same customs and shipment data automatically. A human underwriter still approves every file — but they start from a structured risk summary, not a blank page. Result: 48-hour decision instead of 28 days.

What happens if my shipment is delayed in customs?

Customs delays are a known risk in Nigerian trade and our repayment schedules account for typical NCS clearance timelines. If a delay is caused by factors outside your control (port congestion, inspection queues), contact your Trade Lenda underwriter immediately. We assess each case individually and can adjust the repayment timeline based on documented delays.

Do you finance imports from China?

Yes. China-Nigeria trade routes are among our highest-volume corridors. We score risk on the China-Lagos route specifically, including typical transit times through Apapa and Tin Can ports, commodity categories, and current port congestion data. China sourcing is eligible for import invoice finance as long as the shipment meets our standard eligibility criteria.

What currencies do you disburse in?

We disburse in Nigerian Naira (NGN) to your designated Nigerian business bank account. For import finance, this covers your advance payment obligation to the overseas supplier. We do not currently disburse in USD or other foreign currencies directly, but the financing amount is calculated against your invoice value at the prevailing CBN exchange rate at the time of approval.

Is this available outside Lagos?

Our platform is available to registered Nigerian businesses nationwide. Our AI model currently has the deepest data coverage for Lagos port corridors (Apapa, Tin Can Island) and Kano trade routes. Businesses in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other commercial centres are eligible to apply — our underwriting team reviews all qualifying applications regardless of location.

What are your fees and repayment terms?

We charge a single facility fee based on trade value and tenor. Import invoice finance runs 2.5% – 4.5% per tenor (30 – 90 days). Pre-shipment export finance runs 3.0% – 5.0% per tenor (45 – 120 days). There is a ₦25,000 flat processing fee per application. No origination surprises, no monthly admin charges, no early repayment penalties. See our Rates page for the full breakdown.