Escrow-backed payments
Escrow on Made in Africa — Trade Without the Trust Gap
Escrow is a neutral holding arrangement: the buyer pays, the money is held by a regulated third party rather than landing in the supplier's account, and it is released only once delivery is confirmed. We are connected to TradeSafe. It currently runs in test mode, so no real money is protected on the platform yet.
Escrow payments are handled by TradeSafe, our third-party escrow provider.
What this process is designed to protect against
These are the risks escrow is built to close. Until live escrow is switched on, no real funds pass through the platform, so treat them as the rules that will apply rather than a guarantee today.
Non-delivery
If the goods never ship, the held balance is not released to the supplier.
Non-payment
If the buyer never funds the trade, the supplier does not dispatch against a promise.
Quality disputes
Goods that arrive wrong, damaged or off-spec are disputed against a balance that is still held.
Cross-border fraud
Buyer and supplier may never meet. Escrow gives both sides the same verified position.
How it works
- 1
Buyer pays into escrow
The buyer pays the agreed trade value into an account held by TradeSafe, our escrow provider. TradeSafe confirms the funds arrived and keeps them out of the supplier's reach until delivery is accepted. Connected in test mode today, so these steps run with sandbox money.
- 2
Supplier ships
Because the payment is already funded and held, the supplier dispatches with confidence. Shipping documents and tracking references are recorded against the protected trade.
- 3
Buyer confirms delivery
Once the goods arrive as agreed, the buyer confirms delivery and the partner releases the funds. If something is wrong, the balance stays held while the dispute is resolved.
What it costs
Escrow fees will be published at launch. Any fee is disclosed to both parties before a protected trade is funded.
Which trades are eligible
- Trades between buyers and suppliers on Made in Africa, across the SADC markets we serve.
- Minimum and maximum trade values are confirmed with our payments partner and shown before funding.
- Prohibited, sanctioned or restricted goods are excluded.
- Availability can vary by country, so confirm with the trade desk before committing.
What happens in a dispute
In a live escrow a buyer would dispute instead of confirming delivery and the balance would stay held. That does not happen today: there is no held balance. You can still record a dispute with evidence — photos, inspection reports, shipping and tracking documents — and we work the case in writing on published timelines.
Escrow questions
Is escrow available today?
Only in test mode. TradeSafe is connected, so the escrow steps can be followed end to end without real money moving. No real funds are held and no payment is protected until live escrow is switched on.
Who would hold my money once escrow launches?
The intended model is that funds sit with a regulated payments partner, not with Made in Africa, which would facilitate the connection without holding or controlling the money. The partner and its terms will be published before launch.
When would funds be released once escrow launches?
The intended rule is release only after the buyer confirms the goods arrived as agreed, or as directed through a completed dispute resolution. That rule is not in force today because no funds are held.
What if the goods arrive damaged or wrong?
The buyer marks the trade as disputed instead of confirming delivery. The held balance stays in escrow while the case is reviewed, and evidence such as photos, inspection reports and shipping documents is submitted.
How long does a dispute take to resolve?
Resolution begins within 14 days of the dispute being raised. Cases needing a physical inspection can take longer, and the timeline is confirmed with both parties at the outset.
Is escrow available in my country?
Escrow is planned for the SADC markets served by Made in Africa. Availability depends on our payments partner and may vary by country, trade value and product type. Confirm eligibility with our trade desk before committing.
What fees apply, and who pays them?
Escrow fees will be published at launch. Any fee is shown to both parties before a protected trade is funded, and no fee is charged without that confirmation.
Start a protected trade
Send the trade details and our trade desk will set up the protected payment with our payments partner.
Made in Africa is connected to TradeSafe in test mode, so no real buyer funds are collected or held yet. Made in Africa never holds, freezes or releases buyer funds itself, and is not an escrow agent.
Full terms are set out in our Escrow Policy. Escrow availability may vary by country and trade value.
Funds are held and released by TradeSafe, never by Made in Africa
Talk to the trade desk