Master Terms & Conditions
(Applies to All Users of the TAWDO Ecosystem)
Executive Summary
These Master Terms & Conditions ("Master T&C") govern the use of the TAWDO digital ecosystem, including the marketplace, machinery & equipment rail, industrialization hub, logistics & QA network, and all associated services. They apply to all users interacting with the TAWDO platform; buyers, sellers, OEMs, cooperatives, logistics partners, financial institutions, and governments.
The Master T&C establish the legal framework for safe, compliant, transparent, and digitally powered trade across Africa and international markets. They define user eligibility requirements, platform obligations, payment rules, anti-disintermediation policies, verification and compliance standards, data protection, dispute resolution, and operational protocols.
This summary is for guidance only; the full terms that follow constitute the binding legal agreement.
Purpose
The purpose of this Master T&C is to:
Define the binding legal rules governing all platform interactions, transactions, and services.
Protect all participants: buyers, sellers, OEMs, cooperatives, logistics providers, QA partners, banks, and institutions.
Ensure integrity, security, and compliance through verification (KYB/KYC), escrow payments, PAPSS settlement, and traceability.
Establish a unified standard of conduct prohibiting fraud, disintermediation, misrepresentation, and unsafe trade practices.
Provide a clear governance framework aligned with OHADA, AfCFTA, AU Digital Trade Protocol, FATF compliance, and international e-commerce standards.
Enable TAWDO's mission as Africa's Trade & Industrialization Ecosystem, supporting trusted regional and global trade flows.
1Introduction
Welcome to TAWDO, Africa's Trade & Industrialization Ecosystem; a multi-layer digital platform enabling commodities trade, machinery & equipment procurement, industrialization support, and logistics/QA services across Africa and global markets.
By accessing, browsing, or registering on TAWDO (the "Platform"), you agree to be legally bound by these Master Terms & Conditions ("Terms"), which govern all activities across:
- The Commodities Marketplace
- The Machinery & Equipment Marketplace
- TAWDO Operational Partners Network (Logistics, QA/QC, Certification)
- TAWDO Industrialization Program (TIP)
- TAWDO Bankability Lab
- TAWDO Machinery & Equipment Financing Gateway
2Legal Basis & Applicability
These Terms operate under:
- OHADA Uniform Acts (Commercial Law, Contracts, Corporate Governance)
- AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade & Trade in Goods
- African Union Digital Transformation Strategy
- UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
- Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity & Personal Data Protection
- Applicable national laws in the User's operating country
- FATF & AML/CFT regulatory frameworks
- GDPR-equivalent protections for cross-border data handling
TAWDO operates as a trade facilitator, providing digital rails for secure, verifiable pan-African commerce.
3Platform Scope & Services
3.1 Marketplaces
- Commodity Marketplace: Agricultural commodities, minerals, raw materials, semi-processed goods
- Machinery & Equipment Marketplace: Industrial, agro-processing, mining, construction, cold-chain, medical & packaging equipment
3.2 Operational Partners Network
- Logistics Partners: Freight forwarders, warehousing, local delivery, cold chain
- QA/QC Partners: Inspection, certification, lab testing, compliance checks
3.3 TAWDO Industrialization Program (TIP)
- Industrial project catalogue (30+ SME-friendly factory projects)
- SME/Cooperative support for factory setup
- Construction of bankable project dossiers
3.4 TAWDO Bankability Lab
- Financial models (IRR, NPV, DSCR)
- Risk assessments
- CAPEX/OPEX templates
- ESG compliance sheets
- OEM technical documentation verification
3.5 Machinery & Equipment Financing Gateway
- Term loans, asset financing, leasing
- Supplier credit and purchase-order finance
- Afreximbank/TDB/AfDB guarantee-backed structures
3.6 Payment & Settlement Rails
- Escrow
- PAPSS (Pan-African Payment & Settlement System)
- Bank transfers & approved financial instruments
4Definitions
5User Eligibility, Verification & Obligations
5.1 Eligibility
- Only legally registered entities may engage in trade on TAWDO.
- Individuals cannot list products unless operating through a registered cooperative.
5.2 Verification Requirements
All Users must complete business verification, including:
- Legal entity documents
- Ownership/UBO structure
- Trade licenses
- Responsible officer profile
- Contact information
- Additional KYC/KYB as required for escrow or financing
TAWDO may require enhanced due diligence for high-risk sectors.
5.3 User Obligations
Users must:
- Provide accurate, updated information
- Comply with trade, customs, tax & financial laws
- Respect platform integrity
- Avoid fraud, misrepresentation, money laundering
- Follow all escrow/payment rules
6Platform Access & Usage
6.1 Digital Access
TAWDO may provide additional access channels (app, USSD/SMS, API integrations).
6.2 In-Platform Communication
Messaging tools must be used professionally; communications may be monitored for compliance.
6.3 Sponsored Listings & Visibility Tools
All promotional content must be truthful, non-political, non-misleading, and pre-approved.
7Prohibited Practices
The following actions result in immediate suspension or termination:
7.1 Disintermediation
- No User may circumvent TAWDO after being matched on the platform.
- Any attempt to finalize transactions outside the platform is strictly prohibited.
7.2 Multi-Tenancy Abuse
Users may not open duplicate accounts to manipulate pricing, reviews, visibility, or compliance.
7.3 Fraud & Illicit Activity
Includes falsified documents, counterfeit products, tax evasion, smuggling, money laundering.
8Review & Reputation System
- • Reviews must reflect verified transactions
- • Fake or manipulated reviews will be removed
- • High-performers receive badges and visibility perks
9Payment, Escrow & Compliance
- • All payments through TAWDO Escrow, partnered banks, or PAPSS
- • Adheres to AfCFTA, FATF AML/CFT rules
- • Non-compliance may block shipments or freeze accounts
10Privacy & Data Protection
- • Complies with Malabo Convention, GDPR standards
- • Data processed for verification, fraud prevention, analytics
- • TAWDO will never sell user data
11Intellectual Property
- • All platform content is property of TAWDO
- • Unauthorized copying or scraping is prohibited
12Platform Liability & Risk
- • TAWDO is a facilitator, not a buyer or seller
- • Not liable for product defects, shipping delays, market fluctuations
- • Users must conduct due diligence
13Termination & Suspension
- • Accounts may be suspended for policy breaches, fraud
- • Regulatory violations or extended inactivity
- • Failure to complete verification
14Dispute Resolution
- • TAWDO internal mediation first
- • OHADA commercial law
- • AfCFTA arbitration body
- • DIAC (Dubai) if applicable
15Amendments
- • TAWDO may update Terms at any time
- • Significant changes require renewed acceptance
16Acceptance
By using TAWDO, you acknowledge:
- These Master Terms
- Annexes applicable to your User role (Seller, Buyer, OEM, Logistics, QA/QC, TIP Participant, etc.)
- Relevant compliance frameworks