Customer Service

Information Security & Privacy Standards

Privacy & Data Governance

TradeEthiopia is committed to safeguarding confidential commercial data, enterprise identity documents, and cross-border transaction records with industry-leading encryption and governance standards.

AES-256 EncryptedZero Commercial Data ResaleAfCFTA Privacy Aligned
Section 01

Information We Collect

We collect enterprise and contact information necessary to authenticate business identities, process trade transactions, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Enterprise Identity: Company name, registered address, Commercial Registration Certificate, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and export/import accreditations.
Representative Contact: Full name, business email, authorized phone / WhatsApp number, job title, and verified ID documents for account managers.
Transaction Data: RFQ histories, Proforma invoices, shipping addresses, commercial contracts, and payment settlement confirmations.
Technical Log Data: IP addresses, browser types, device identifiers, login timestamps, and security event logs.
Section 02

How We Use Your Information

Data utilization strictly supports verified B2B matchmaking, supply chain coordination, and regulatory compliance.

To verify corporate legitimacy and issue Gold / Verified Supplier trust badges.
To facilitate direct communication and RFQ negotiations between buyers and verified exporters.
To comply with sovereign tax, customs, and National Bank of Ethiopia foreign trade audit mandates.
To detect, prevent, and investigate commercial fraud, unauthorized access, or counterfeit listings.
Section 03

Data Sharing & Third-Party Disclosure

We do not sell enterprise or personal data. Information is disclosed only to authorized trade partners and regulatory bodies.

Counterparty Disclosure: Once an RFQ or commercial offer is accepted, necessary business contact data is shared with the trading counterparty to execute fulfillment.
Logistics & Inspection Partners: Relevant consignment and address details are provided to appointed carriers, freight forwarders, and pre-shipment inspection agencies.
Statutory Authorities: Data disclosed when required by court orders, customs declarations, or statutory law enforcement directives.
Section 04

Data Security & Infrastructure

Enterprise-grade encryption and access controls safeguard confidential corporate and transactional data.

Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.3) encrypts all data in transit across our web and mobile applications.
Database Encryption: Sensitive credentials and verification files are encrypted at rest using AES-256 standard.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Platform administrative access is restricted strictly to authorized compliance officers with mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Section 05

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Governance protocols for Pan-African and international cross-border trade data flows under AfCFTA protocols.

When connecting buyers in Ethiopia with regional suppliers across Africa (e.g. Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa), data is transferred securely under standard contractual clauses.
TradeEthiopia ensures that international cloud hosting providers comply with ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type II information security certifications.
Section 06

Data Retention & Storage Lifecycle

Structured data retention timelines align with commercial statutory audit rules and tax record mandates.

Commercial transaction records and customs filings are retained for a minimum of 10 years per statutory Ethiopian Commercial Code requirements.
Inactive account logs and telemetry data are systematically archived and purged after 36 months of account dormancy.
Section 07

Your Privacy Rights & Account Controls

Enterprise administrators maintain rights to inspect, rectify, export, or request deletion of account records.

Access & Portability: Request an export of your company's product catalogs, demand histories, and transaction ledgers.
Rectification: Update or correct outdated business licenses, representative contacts, or banking details via the Dashboard.
Account Closure: Request corporate account deactivation subject to the resolution of all pending purchase orders and statutory retention obligations.
Section 08

Data Protection Officer & Inquiries

Direct communication channel for data protection audits, privacy requests, and regulatory filings.

Email: privacy@tradeethiopia.com
Office: TradeEthiopia Data Governance Office, Bole Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Response SLA: All formal data requests and privacy inquiries receive a response within 48 business hours.

Explore Our Governance Framework

Review our complete Terms of Service and Commercial Trade Policy rules.

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