Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information: When you create an account on Afconnex, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and business details including company name, registration number, and business address.

Profile Information: Depending on your account type:

• Buyers: Industry sector, procurement needs, company size, and purchasing history
• Suppliers: Production or sourcing capabilities, product catalogs, certifications, export licenses, and delivery capacity

Transaction Data: Details of RFQs submitted, quotes received, orders placed, transaction documents (proforma invoices, proof of payment, shipping documents), and delivery tracking data.

Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our platform, including pages visited, searches performed, and features used.

2. How We Collect Information

Direct Collection: Information you provide during registration, profile creation, RFQ submissions, and communications with other users or with the Afconnex team, including by email or WhatsApp.

Automatic Collection: When you use our platform, we automatically collect device information, IP address, browser type, and usage patterns through cookies and similar technologies, as described in section 7.

Third-Party Sources: We may receive information from other parties to a transaction, from freight forwarders and carriers involved in your orders, and from business verification services to validate supplier credentials.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide Services: Facilitate connections between industrial buyers in Africa and suppliers, process RFQs, and provide document-based tracking of transactions
• Verify Payment Steps: Check proof of payment and the documents associated with each step of the transaction. Afconnex does not process payments, which are made directly between buyers and suppliers.
• Track Logistics: Track shipments and shipping documents
• Communicate: Send transaction updates, RFQ notifications, and platform announcements
• Improve Platform: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience and develop new features
• Ensure Security: Detect and prevent fraud, verify user identities, and protect against unauthorized access
• Legal Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements for B2B transactions and international trade

Depending on the case, this processing is based on the performance of the contract between you and Afconnex, our legitimate interest in operating and securing the platform, compliance with our legal obligations and, for analytics cookies, your consent.

4. Information Sharing

Between Users: When you engage in a transaction, relevant business information is shared with the other party. Buyer requirements are shared with suppliers responding to RFQs, and supplier details are shared with buyers evaluating quotes.

Service providers: We share information with trusted partners who help operate our platform:

• Our technical provider, which develops and operates the platform
• Cloud hosting providers for platform infrastructure
• Messaging and email services, including WhatsApp for assistance requests
• Google, for audience measurement, only if you have accepted analytics cookies
• Freight forwarders and carriers, where needed to track an order

Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Afconnex, our users, or others.

Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data transmissions are encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Payments: Afconnex does not collect or store any payment card data. Payments are made directly between buyers and suppliers.
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit employee access to personal data
• Regular Audits: Security practices are regularly reviewed and updated

While we take extensive precautions, no internet transmission is completely secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information in your profile
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal retention requirements
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Restriction: Request the restriction of the processing of your data in the cases provided for by law
• Objection: Object to processing based on our legitimate interest and unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw your consent to analytics cookies at any time via the "Cookie settings" link

To exercise these rights, email us at [email protected]. If you believe your rights have not been respected, you may lodge a complaint with the CNIL (France) or the ARTCI (Côte d'Ivoire).

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Enable core platform functionality, secure authentication, and remember your language preference. They do not require your consent.
• Analytics Cookies: Measure our audience and understand how the platform is used in order to improve our services (Google Analytics, via Google Tag Manager). They are only set with your consent.
• Duration: Your choice is kept for six months, after which you will be asked again.

You can accept, reject, or customize analytics cookies on your first visit, and change your choice at any time via the "Cookie settings" link at the bottom of each page. Rejecting analytics cookies has no impact on your use of the platform.

8. International Data Transfers

Afconnex operates across multiple jurisdictions, connecting industrial buyers in Africa with suppliers worldwide. Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including France (Afconnex SAS headquarters) and Côte d'Ivoire (Afconnex Côte d'Ivoire).

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. Transaction documents are retained for the periods required by applicable legal, accounting, and tax obligations. You may request deletion of your account, but certain data may be retained for legal compliance.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes via email or platform notification. Continued use of Afconnex after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

The data controller is Afconnex SAS, a French simplified joint-stock company (société par actions simplifiée) registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 935 382 853. For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your privacy rights, email us at [email protected]. We aim to respond to all requests within one month.