The commercial terms determine the fit

A financing route should match the trade’s stage and the obligation that can support repayment. The same export can involve supplier credit, a buyer deposit and a financing facility at different moments.

Bank / bank agent

Saving, cash access and broader lending

Local reach, fees, collateral and seasonal repayment fit

Mobile money

Transfers and small payments

Agent liquidity, cash-out charges, limits and interoperability

Microfinance

Small loans and local support

Total cost, repayment frequency and household affordability

Value-chain finance

Inputs or credit connected to a crop buyer

Buyer concentration, price terms and contract enforceability

WAB service design

Agricultural relationship, payments and seasonal finance

Bank formation, local delivery partners, approvals and product readiness

Qualitative design comparison. Terms depend on the provider, jurisdiction and transaction. WAB services are in development; USD2 capital remains under discussion. No option is assigned a performance score.

Different instruments support different claims

Actual terms depend on the bank, financier, jurisdiction and transaction. This qualitative comparison explains the commercial question rather than supplying a product recommendation.

RouteUseful purposeWhat remains to examine
Buyer advanceCash before production or deliveryPerformance, refund conditions and buyer confidence
Supplier creditDefer payment for inputs or goodsCredit period, total price and supplier capacity
Letter of creditBank payment undertaking against defined documentsIssuing bank, documentary terms, discrepancies and charges
Receivables financeCapital after a qualifying payment claim existsBuyer credit, invoice acceptance, assignment and recourse
Inventory financeCapital connected to controlled stockCustody, price, quality, insurance and security rights
Transaction facilityWorking capital tied to an agreed commercial cycleEligible costs, draw conditions and controlled collection

Compare the complete economics

A fixed fee, percentage fee or interest rate is only part of a financing cost. Currency conversion, insurance, inspections, logistics, unused commitments and deductions can affect the total. Timing and risk allocation also matter.

A comparison should use the same trade, amount, time and currency assumptions. A route that appears inexpensive can leave the borrower carrying more performance or price risk. The current USD2 brief does not establish product pricing or investor economics.

Explore cost assumptions transparently

The payment-cost tool compares two editable scenarios using the same principal and benchmark unit. Neither scenario is a WAB or USD2 tariff.

Scenario A

Sender debit10,035
Recipient receives9,890
Total modelled cost145
Cost / principal1.45%

Scenario B

Sender debit10,035
Recipient receives9,890
Total modelled cost145
Cost / principal1.45%
Cost difference · A minus B0USD eq.

Sender debit = principal + fixed fee + principal × sender rate
Recipient proceeds = max(principal × (1 − FX spread) − deduction, 0)
Total cost = sender debit − recipient proceeds

ILLUSTRATIVE SCENARIO

Both scenarios start with identical fictional costs. Every input is an assumption in the same USD-equivalent unit. Sender fees are paid on top; conversion and recipient deductions reduce the amount received. No live rates, provider prices, WAB tariff, settlement speed or promised savings are represented.

Use a combination when the obligation supports it

Commercial partners and financial institutions can share the funding cycle. The contract should make the order of payments and the rights over goods and proceeds clear. Several financiers without that clarity can create competing claims.

USD2’s transaction model begins with a documented commercial need. Its eventual terms will be defined by underwriting, legal documentation, capital capacity and the collection route.

READ THE SOURCE

Publications and reference material