Supplier verification

Independent supplier verification in African markets

Most trade problems are not caused by bad luck but by paying a counterparty nobody ever verified. We check who the supplier legally is, whether the operation exists at the stated address, what it can actually produce and whether the documentation holds up.

What the engagement includes

  • Verification of legal identity, registration and ownership
  • Confirmation of the supplier's real role: producer, processor, trader or intermediary
  • Physical site or factory visit with photo documentation
  • Capacity, equipment, storage and quality-management assessment
  • Export experience and documentation review, including previous shipments
  • Reference checks with buyers, banks and local contacts
  • Written verification report with a clear risk assessment

What you get out of it

  • Confidence that the counterparty exists and can deliver
  • Early detection of intermediaries presenting themselves as producers
  • A documented basis for negotiating payment terms
  • Avoided prepayments to suppliers that cannot perform

How we work

  1. Step 1

    Briefing

    You share the supplier details, product and the volumes under discussion.

  2. Step 2

    Document checks

    We verify registration, ownership, licences and export documentation.

  3. Step 3

    Site visit

    Our local team visits the premises unannounced or by appointment, as agreed.

  4. Step 4

    Report

    You receive findings, photos, references and a recommendation before any payment.

Frequently asked questions

Can you verify a supplier we have already found?

Yes. Most assignments start with a supplier the client has already been in contact with, often after receiving an offer that looks unusually favourable.

How fast can a verification be completed?

Document checks usually take a few days. A verification that includes a physical site visit typically takes one to two weeks.

What happens if the supplier fails verification?

You get the findings in writing, and we can propose verified alternatives from our own network.

Verify before you pay

Send us the supplier name and the offer you have received, and we will tell you what a verification would cover.

contact@scandafrica.org