Jetstream Africa BOX 7 Company background: Based in Ghana, Jetstream enhances SME access to trade finance by using operational data such as bills of lading and financial records. Its AI-enabled platform streamlines credit assessment for African exporters trading with the UAE, addressing the main challenges in documentation processing and risk evaluation. Main technology features: –Digital lead qualification matrix powered by proprietary AI-based OCR tools –Bank-accessible API supporting UAE compliance requirements –Automated credit decision-making for trade finance transactions Testing participants: In the sandbox, Jetstream collaborated with RegLab to demonstrate how its technology could reduce trade finance approval times from four weeks to under 10 minutes while maintaining regulatory compliance and risk management standards.Jetstream Africa entered the sandbox to demonstrate how its AI-enabled trade finance technology could streamline the credit decision process for SMEs trading between Africa and the UAE. The company’s main objective was to accelerate trade finance qualification and approval times while ensuring compliance with UAE banking and regulatory requirements. Jetstream conducted its testing within the Regulations Lab (RegLab) framework and engaged with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to align its platform with UAE trade finance regulations. Over a four-month period, Jetstream tested its platform on the NayaOne sandbox environment, focusing on three important capabilities: –Optical character recognition (OCR)-based document scanning that automatically extracts and processes trade documentation –AI-driven credit analysis that incorporates operational data such as shipping records –A digital lead qualification matrix that streamlines the evaluation of financing applications The testing simulated real trade finance transactions using synthetic data reflective of GCC–West Africa trade routes, with a bank-accessible API created to support UAE compliance requirements.Main findings The testing demonstrated significant operational improvements. Trade finance approval times were reduced from four weeks to under 10 minutes, showcasing the viability of automated credit evaluation in high-friction trade environments. Jetstream’s solution improved documentation accuracy and streamlined compliance, enhancing SME liquidity and bank responsiveness. The platform successfully incorporated operational data points that traditional credit models often overlook, creating more nuanced risk profiles for SME borrowers. Regulatory takeaways While the testing aligned with current UAE regulations, it highlighted the absence of a formal comprehensive framework for invoice factoring, limiting the solution’s scalability. The sandbox revealed a need for centralized invoice registration systems that could prevent fraud and support transparency in digital trade finance. Banks expressed interest in the technology but noted that without government-backed risk mitigation tools their willingness to extend credit to previously underserved SMEs would remain limited. The sandbox demonstrated that fintech solutions such as Jetstream could address operational barriers to SME financing, but regulatory restrictions could impact widespread adoption.3.1 Jetstream Africa: Credit decisions for SMEs Advancing Digital Trade: Insights from the UAE TradeTech Regulatory Sandbox 17

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