I&M Bank has announced a strategic partnership with technology provider Surecomp to digitize and streamline its trade finance operations. The initiative aims to simplify cross-border trade, drastically improve transaction turnaround times, and deliver a seamless banking experience for corporate and SME clients operating across East Africa and Mauritius.

The deployment will start in Kenya before expanding across the I&M Group’s regional network, including Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Bank One in Mauritius. By transitioning from manual, paper-intensive processes to an integrated digital infrastructure, the bank seeks to lower operational friction and enhance risk management and compliance capabilities.

Under the partnership, I&M Bank will implement two core Surecomp solutions:

  • DOKA-NG: A back-office processing engine designed to automate complex trade finance workflows and scale operational efficiency.
  • RIVO: A cloud-based corporate access platform that provides real-time visibility and centralized management over trade transactions.

The move comes as businesses across the region seek faster, more adaptable financial partners to navigate expanding trade corridors.

“For our customers, trade is ultimately about being able to move goods, make payments, and do business efficiently,” said Carolyne Mulandi, I&M Bank’s Head of Trade & Financial Institutions. “As their businesses grow and increasingly operate across markets, they need their bank to keep pace with them. This investment is about simplifying that experience, reducing turnaround times, and giving our customers a stronger trade finance partner across the region.”

The adoption of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) trade platforms reflects a broader shift among African financial institutions prioritizing scalable, cloud-native architecture to support economic integration.

“Our partnership with I&M Bank reflects the rapidly growing focus among African banks on using SaaS technology to make trade finance more accessible, efficient, and scalable,” noted Tal Weiser, Chief Revenue Officer at Surecomp. “We are pleased to support I&M as it strengthens its trade capabilities across the region and creates a more seamless experience for its customers.”

This rollout aligns with I&M Bank’s broader digital strategy to modernize core operations, drive financial inclusion, and better support businesses driving intra-African trade.