Sabi, a startup backed by Norskenn-22, has announced a significant shift in its business strategy, focusing exclusively on commodities, particularly mineral and agricultural commodities. The company, founded in 2021 by Ademola Adesina and Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, has developed a robust digital infrastructure and market intelligence to improve global market access for Africa's informal sector.

Sabi's decision to refocus on commodities comes as the global scrutiny of ethical sourcing intensifies, with companies facing increasing pressure to ensure transparency and accountability in their supply chains. The startup's new platform, Technology Rails for African Commodities Exchange (TRACE), aims to address the persistent issues of unreliable supply chains and limited visibility in Africa's resource-rich regions.

TRACE is designed to standardize small- and medium-scale mining operations, ensuring that commodities meet international standards. The platform allows suppliers to list their inventory, quality tests, and access finance, while also enabling traceability of the supply source. This level of transparency is critical in the commodities industry, where unethical sourcing practices have been rampant.

Sabi's CEO, Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, emphasized the importance of transparency in the commodities industry, citing the example of a lawsuit filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Apple Inc.'s French and Belgian subsidiaries. The lawsuit accused Apple of sourcing "blood minerals" from the DRC, highlighting the need for companies to prioritize ethical sourcing practices.

TRACE incorporates a system called Flare, which acts as a "passport" for each commodity, tracking ESG data and ensuring compliance with global standards. The verification process is multi-layered, involving physical verification of data and sourcing practices by Sabi's network of samplers, testing labs, verification agencies, and ESG/traceability consultants.

Since its piloting, Sabi's TRACE has facilitated approximately 50,000 tons of mineral exports, demonstrating the potential of the platform to transform the commodities industry in Africa. Adedoyin Adasolum expressed her hope that Sabi's TRACE will have a significant impact on the industry, enabling smaller players to succeed and promoting sustainable and responsible commodity sourcing from the African continent.

The refocusing of Sabi's business strategy is a significant development in the African startup ecosystem, highlighting the importance of innovation and technology in addressing the continent's development challenges. As the global demand for transparency and accountability in supply chains continues to grow, Sabi's TRACE platform is well-positioned to play a critical role in promoting ethical sourcing practices in Africa's commodities industry.