Introduction
Welcome to Afro Ubuntu TradeNet Ltd ("Afro Ubuntu TradeNet", "we", "our", "us").
What We Do
We provide an AI-powered B2B trade intelligence platform connecting informal and semi-formal African retailers with FMCG brands, NGOs, and fintech partners through:
- • Digital insights and analytics
- • Ethical data use and AI recommendations
- • WhatsApp-based onboarding and communication
- • Trade intelligence dashboards
Agreement to Terms
By accessing or using our website, platform, WhatsApp onboarding service, analytics dashboards, or related services (collectively, the "Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and Terms of Service ("Terms").
If you do not agree, you may not use the Services.
Eligibility
Age Requirement
You must be 18 years or older to use the Services
Business Use Only
You must be acting on behalf of a business or organisation; not for personal consumer use
Authority
You confirm you have the authority to bind your organisation to these Terms
Services We Provide
Retailer Onboarding
- • WhatsApp integration and communication
- • SMS-based data collection
- • Web portal access
- • Multi-language support
Trade Analytics
- • Stock tracking and inventory management
- • Pricing trends analysis
- • Demand forecasting
- • Market intelligence reports
AI Credit Profiling
- • Non-traditional trade data scoring
- • Ethical credit assessment
- • Risk profiling for lenders
- • Financial inclusion insights
Partner Services
- • Data insights for FMCGs
- • NGO impact measurement
- • Fintech integration support
- • Pay-per-insight access
Service Updates
We may modify or update the Services for operational, technical, or security reasons at any time. We will provide reasonable notice for material changes that affect your use of the Services.
Acceptable Use
You agree NOT to:
Prohibited Activities
- Use the Services for illegal, harmful, or fraudulent purposes
- Upload false, misleading, or harmful data
Technical Restrictions
- Reverse-engineer, copy, or interfere with our AI models, APIs, or systems
- Breach applicable laws, including data protection, trade compliance, and anti-corruption regulations
Ubuntu Principles
We encourage use that embodies Ubuntu philosophy - "I am, because we are". Use our Services in ways that benefit not just your business, but the broader trading community.
Account Registration & Security
Your Responsibility
You are responsible for maintaining your account credentials securely
Report Issues
Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use or security concerns
Account Actions
We may suspend or terminate accounts for security reasons or Terms violations
Security Best Practices
- • Use strong, unique passwords
- • Enable two-factor authentication when available
- • Regularly review account activity
- • Don't share credentials with others
- • Log out from shared devices
- • Report suspicious activity immediately
Data Ownership & Rights
Your Data Ownership
You retain ownership of all data you provide to our Services. We respect your data sovereignty and Ubuntu principles of collective benefit.
Processing License
By submitting data, you grant Afro Ubuntu TradeNet a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to:
- • Process and analyse your data for delivering Services
- • Create anonymised insights for community benefit
- • Generate AI recommendations and forecasts
- • Improve our platform and algorithms
What We DON'T Do
- Sell personal or business-identifiable data
- Share data without proper consent
- Use data beyond stated purposes
Policy Compliance
All data usage complies with our:
- • Privacy Policy
- • Ethical AI & Data Use Policy
- • Applicable data protection laws
AI-Assisted Decisions
Important Disclaimer
AI recommendations are for informational purposes only and should be used alongside human judgement. We provide insights to support your decision-making, not replace it.
AI Services Include
- • Demand forecasting and trends
- • Inventory optimization suggestions
- • Credit scoring and risk assessment
- • Market opportunity identification
- • Pricing recommendations
Your Rights
- • Request explanation of AI decisions
- • Appeal automated recommendations
- • Request human review for significant decisions
- • Opt out of certain AI processing
- • Access to decision-making criteria
Your Responsibility
You remain fully responsible for all business decisions made using our AI recommendations. Always consider your specific circumstances, local market conditions, and seek professional advice when needed.
Fees & Payment
Payment Terms
- • Fees follow your subscription or per-insight agreement
- • Payments are due per the agreed billing cycle
- • All fees are exclusive of applicable taxes
- • Payment methods: Bank transfer, card, mobile money
Late Payments
Late payments may result in service suspension after 30 days. We'll provide advance notice and work with you to resolve payment issues.
Price Changes
Prices may be updated with 30 days' written notice. You can choose to:
- • Accept the new pricing
- • Downgrade your service level
- • Cancel your subscription
Ubuntu Pricing
Our pricing reflects Ubuntu values - fair, transparent, and designed to support the growth of Africa's informal trade community.
Intellectual Property
Our Intellectual Property
All platform content, AI models, software, and branding are owned by Afro Ubuntu TradeNet, including:
- • AI algorithms and models
- • Platform software and interfaces
- • Trademarks and branding
- • Analytics and reporting tools
- • Documentation and training materials
Usage Restrictions
You may not copy, modify, or distribute our IP without written consent. This includes:
- • Reverse engineering our AI models
- • Copying our software or interfaces
- • Using our branding without permission
- • Creating derivative works
- • Sublicensing to third parties
Permitted Use
You may use our Services as intended for your business operations. For any other use cases or integration needs, please contact us for proper licensing arrangements.
Confidentiality
Mutual Protection
Both parties agree to protect each other's confidential information, including:
- • Business strategies and plans
- • Technical specifications
- • Customer data and insights
- • Financial information
- • Proprietary methodologies
Exceptions
Confidentiality obligations don't apply when disclosure is:
- • Legally required by court order
- • Necessary for regulatory compliance
- • Already in the public domain
- • Independently developed
- • Authorized by the disclosing party
Compliance & Cross-Border Data Transfers
Your Compliance Obligations
You must comply with applicable laws in your jurisdiction, including:
- • Data protection and privacy laws
- • Trade and import/export regulations
- • Anti-money laundering requirements
- • Tax and financial reporting obligations
- • Consumer protection regulations
- • Competition and antitrust laws
- • Industry-specific regulations
- • Local business licensing requirements
Cross-Border Data Transfers
Data transfers outside the UK, EU, or your jurisdiction will use appropriate safeguards:
- • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
- • Adequacy decisions where available
- • Binding Corporate Rules
- • Explicit user consent
- • Local data residency options
- • Transfer impact assessments
- • Additional technical safeguards
- • Regular compliance monitoring
Limitation of Liability
Service Disclaimer
The Services are provided "as is" without guarantees of uninterrupted operation. While we strive for high availability and accuracy, technology systems can experience downtime or errors.
Liability Limitations
To the fullest extent allowed by law, we are not liable for:
- • Indirect or consequential damages
- • Loss of profits or business opportunities
- • Data loss or corruption
- • Third-party service interruptions
- • Business decisions based on our recommendations
What We Do Guarantee
- • Good faith effort to provide reliable services
- • Prompt response to technical issues
- • Transparent communication about problems
- • Compliance with data protection laws
- • Fair treatment under Ubuntu principles
Maximum Liability
Our total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of the Services shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.
Termination
We May Suspend or Terminate Your Access If:
Terms Violations
- • Breach of these Terms
- • Violation of acceptable use policies
- • Fraudulent or illegal activity
Payment Issues
- • Failure to pay fees
- • Disputed or reversed payments
- • Expired payment methods
Risk Management
- • Risk to our systems
- • Harm to partners or users
- • Security concerns
Your Right to Terminate
You may terminate your account at any time by:
- • Contacting our support team
- • Using account closure features
- • Providing 30 days' written notice
Data After Termination
Upon termination:
- • You can export your data (30 days)
- • We'll delete your data per our retention policy
- • Anonymised insights may be retained
Force Majeure
Events Beyond Our Control
We are not liable for delays or failures in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including:
Natural Events
- • Natural disasters and extreme weather
- • Earthquakes, floods, or fires
- • Pandemics or health emergencies
Human Events
- • Government restrictions or sanctions
- • Civil unrest or political instability
- • Internet outages or infrastructure failures
Our Commitment: During force majeure events, we'll communicate transparently about impacts and work to restore services as quickly as possible while ensuring user safety.
Pilot & Beta Services
If You Participate in a Pilot or Beta Programme:
You're helping us build better services for Africa's trade community. Here's what to expect:
Service Quality
The Services may contain errors or be incomplete as we test and improve features
Feature Changes
We may limit, suspend, or discontinue pilot features without notice as we iterate
Data Usage
Data collected during pilots may be used for testing, analysis, and product improvement
Ubuntu Pilot Principles
All pilot data usage follows our Privacy and Ethical AI policies. Your participation helps improve services for the entire African trade community - embodying "I am, because we are".
Third-Party Tools Disclaimer
Third-Party Integrations
Our Services may integrate with third-party platforms to provide you with seamless experiences:
- • WhatsApp Business API
- • SMS gateway providers
- • Payment processing services
- • Cloud storage platforms
- • Mapping and location services
- • Analytics and monitoring tools
- • Communication platforms
- • Financial service APIs
Important Disclaimer
We are not responsible for:
- • Interruptions in third-party services
- • Changes to third-party terms or pricing
- • Discontinuation of third-party platforms
- • Third-party data breaches or security issues
- • Performance or availability of external services
- • Third-party policy changes affecting functionality
Our Commitment
While we can't control third-party services, we carefully select partners who share our values and will work to minimize disruptions when external issues occur.
Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any legal proceedings will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts, unless prohibited by your local consumer protection laws.
Dispute Resolution Process
Ubuntu Approach to Disputes
We believe in resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding, reflecting Ubuntu values. Our goal is always to find solutions that benefit both parties and strengthen our community relationships.
Changes to These Terms
Amendment Process
We may amend these Terms with 30 days' notice via:
- • Email notification to your registered address
- • Prominent notice on our website
- • In-platform notifications
- • WhatsApp message for active users
- • Updated version posted with change log
- • Clear highlighting of material changes
Acceptance of Changes
Continued use of the Services after changes means acceptance of the new Terms. We'll always clearly communicate what's changing and why.
If You Disagree
If you don't agree with changes, you may terminate your account before the changes take effect. We'll help you export your data during this period.
Indemnification
Your Indemnification Obligations
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Afro Ubuntu TradeNet, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to:
Your Actions
- • Your use or misuse of the Services
- • Violation of these Terms
- • Your data or content submissions
- • Your business operations and decisions
Third-Party Claims
- • Infringement of intellectual property rights
- • Breach of confidentiality or privacy
- • Regulatory violations in your jurisdiction
- • Harm to other users or partners
Mutual Protection
This indemnification is mutual - we also commit to defending you against claims arising from our gross negligence or willful misconduct in providing the Services, reflecting our Ubuntu values of shared responsibility.
Process and Cooperation
For any indemnification claim:
- • We'll provide prompt written notice of any claim
- • You'll have the right to control the defense with qualified counsel
- • We'll cooperate reasonably in the defense
- • No settlement without mutual written consent
Service Level Agreements
Service Availability Commitments
Support Response Times
Data & Backup Guarantees
- Daily automated backups
- 99.99% data durability
- 4-hour recovery time objective
- Multi-region data replication
SLA Credits and Remedies
If we fail to meet our SLA commitments, you may be eligible for service credits:
Enhanced Trade Compliance
International Trade Compliance
Our Services facilitate cross-border trade across Africa. You must comply with all applicable trade regulations:
Export Controls
- • US Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- • EU Dual-Use Export Regulation
- • UK Export Control Regulations
- • African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) rules
- • Country-specific export licensing requirements
Import Compliance
- • Customs documentation and declarations
- • Product safety and quality standards
- • Phytosanitary and health certificates
- • Import licensing and permits
- • Anti-dumping and countervailing duties
Sanctions and Restricted Parties
You warrant that you and your trading partners are not:
- • Listed on any sanctions lists (OFAC, EU, UN, etc.)
- • Located in sanctioned or embargoed territories
- • Owned or controlled by sanctioned entities
- • Engaged in prohibited activities
- • Subject to asset freezing orders
- • Designated as terrorist organizations
Our Compliance Measures
Automated Screening
- • Real-time sanctions list checking
- • PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) screening
- • Adverse media monitoring
- • Trade route risk assessment
Documentation Support
- • Trade documentation templates
- • Compliance checklists by country
- • Regulatory update notifications
- • Expert compliance consultation
Compliance Violations
We reserve the right to:
- • Suspend Services immediately upon detection of compliance violations
- • Report violations to relevant authorities as required by law
- • Terminate accounts of non-compliant users
- • Freeze transactions pending compliance verification
- • Cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory investigations
Currency and Payment Policies
Multi-Currency Support
We support multiple African currencies to facilitate local trade:
West Africa
- • Nigerian Naira (NGN)
- • Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- • CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF)
- • Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
- • Liberian Dollar (LRD)
East Africa
- • Kenyan Shilling (KES)
- • Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
- • Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
- • Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
- • Rwandan Franc (RWF)
Southern Africa
- • South African Rand (ZAR)
- • Botswana Pula (BWP)
- • Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
- • Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
- • Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Exchange Rate Policy
- Rates updated every 15 minutes during business hours
- Sourced from multiple tier-1 financial data providers
- Rate locks available for confirmed transactions
- Spreads clearly disclosed before transaction
Payment Methods
Mobile Money
M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, Orange Money
Bank Transfers
Local and international wire transfers, SWIFT
Digital Wallets
PayPal, Skrill, local digital payment platforms
Cards
Visa, Mastercard, local debit/credit cards
Pricing and Billing
Subscription Billing
- • Billed in your local currency when possible
- • Monthly or annual billing cycles available
- • Automatic currency conversion for unsupported currencies
- • VAT/GST calculated based on your location
Pay-Per-Insight
- • Transparent pricing in local currency
- • Bulk purchase discounts available
- • Credit system for prepaid insights
- • No hidden fees or currency conversion charges
Currency Risk and Volatility
Important Notice: African currencies can be volatile. We implement several measures to manage currency risk:
- • Hedging strategies for major currency pairs
- • Regular pricing reviews in high-volatility periods
- • Force majeure provisions for extreme currency events
- • Alternative payment arrangements during currency crises
- • Transparent communication about currency-related changes
Data Localization Requirements
Regional Data Centers
We maintain data centers across Africa to comply with local data residency requirements:
Primary Data Centers
- • Lagos, Nigeria - West Africa hub
- • Nairobi, Kenya - East Africa hub
- • Cape Town, South Africa - Southern Africa hub
- • Cairo, Egypt - North Africa hub
Backup Locations
- • Accra, Ghana - West Africa backup
- • Kigali, Rwanda - East Africa backup
- • Casablanca, Morocco - North Africa backup
- • London, UK - International backup
Country-Specific Data Residency
Strict Localization
Data must remain in-country:
- • Nigeria (NDPR requirements)
- • South Africa (POPIA compliance)
- • Kenya (Data Protection Act)
Regional Storage
Data stored within region:
- • Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire
- • Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
- • Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Flexible Storage
Cross-border transfers allowed:
- • Mauritius, Seychelles
- • Morocco, Tunisia
- • Other countries without specific laws
Data Protection Compliance
Local Compliance Officers
- • Nigeria: Lagos-based DPO
- • South Africa: Cape Town-based Information Officer
- • Kenya: Nairobi-based Data Controller
- • Ghana: Accra-based Data Protection Officer
Regulatory Registrations
- • NITDA (Nigeria) registration
- • ODPC (Kenya) notification
- • DPA (Ghana) registration
- • SAHRC (South Africa) notification
Your Data Rights by Country
Your data protection rights vary by country. We ensure compliance with the highest applicable standard:
- • Access: Request copies of your data
- • Rectification: Correct inaccurate information
- • Erasure: Delete your data (right to be forgotten)
- • Portability: Transfer data to another provider
- • Restriction: Limit processing of your data
- • Objection: Opt out of certain processing
- • Complaint: File complaints with local authorities
- • Compensation: Seek damages for violations
Cross-Border Transfer Safeguards
When cross-border transfers are necessary, we implement appropriate safeguards:
- • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
- • Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs)
- • Adequacy decisions where available
- • Explicit consent for specific transfers
- • Transfer Impact Assessments (TIAs)
- • Additional technical safeguards
- • Regular compliance monitoring
- • Immediate notification of any breaches
Contact Us
Questions about these Terms or need support? We're here to help.
Email Support
Registered Address
Afro Ubuntu TradeNet Ltd
124 City Road
London, United Kingdom
EC1V 2NX
Ubuntu Support Promise
We respond to all inquiries within 48 hours and approach every interaction with Ubuntu principles - "I am, because we are". Your success is our success.
Terms Effective Date
Effective Date
August, 2025
Version
1.2
Last Updated
August, 2025
Previous versions: Available upon request. We maintain a complete history of changes to ensure transparency and accountability in our Terms evolution.