1. Introduction & Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of TradEdge, including traders, artisans, market associations, government partners, agents, and visitors who:

• Access our website (www.tradedge.ng) and web portals;
• Use our mobile or web applications;
• Participate in digital enumeration, financial services, and marketplace tools;
• Interact with our support teams, agents, and partner institutions.

TradEdge complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and follows global data protection best practices.

2. Data Controller & Contact Details

TradEdge is owned and operated by:

SmartClouds Hosting Solutions Ltd
No 1 Gabriel Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State – Nigeria
Email: support@tradedge.ng
Phone: +234 9017287101

For any privacy or data protection-related queries, you may contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) via the email address above with the subject: “Data Protection – TradEdge”.

3. Information We Collect

We collect different categories of information depending on how you interact with TradEdge:

3.1. Information You Provide Directly

• Full name, date of birth, gender, marital status;
• Contact details (phone number, email address, residential address);
• National Identification Number (NIN) and other KYC identifiers where applicable;
• Business details (business name, type, market/association, shop location, trade category);
• Banking and financial details required to create or link accounts (e.g. account number, BVN via partners);
• Login credentials (username, password – stored securely in hashed form);
• Support requests, complaints, survey feedback, and communication with our team.

3.2. Information Collected Automatically

• Device information (IP address, browser type, device type, operating system);
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, clicks, navigation paths, referral URLs);
• Log data, error logs, and performance metrics to improve platform stability.

3.3. Information from Third Parties & Partners

• KYC and verification partners (e.g. identity verification, NIN validation, BVN confirmation);
• Banking partners (e.g. Sterling Bank and others) for account creation and transaction updates;
• Government agencies, associations, and cooperatives where necessary and lawful.

4. How We Use Your Information

We process your information for the following purposes:

• To create and manage your TradEdge account and digital identity;
• To perform digital enumeration of traders, markets, and associations;
• To open and maintain bank accounts and wallets through partner financial institutions;
• To process payments, transfers, payouts, and transaction history;
• To assess eligibility for financial services such as loans, overdrafts, and insurance;
• To communicate with you regarding your account, services, updates, and security alerts;
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements (KYC/AML/CFT obligations);
• To generate anonymised or aggregated reports for governments, partners, and internal analytics;
• To improve the platform, user experience, and design of TradEdge products;
• To investigate and prevent fraud, abuse, or unauthorised access.

5. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

Depending on your interaction with TradEdge, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent: When you voluntarily provide data or opt into specific services (e.g. marketing, special programs);
• Contractual necessity: To provide services you have registered or signed up for via TradEdge;
• Legal obligation: To comply with NDPR, banking, tax, AML/CFT, and other regulatory requirements;
• Legitimate interest: To improve services, ensure platform security, and support economic inclusion.

6. Cookies & Similar Technologies

TradEdge uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your login session and preferences;
• Improve website performance and usability;
• Analyse traffic and usage patterns for optimisation.

You can control or disable cookies via your browser settings. However, some features of TradEdge may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

7. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information with:

• Banking and Financial Partners (e.g. Sterling Bank and others) to open and operate accounts, process payments, and provide financial services;
• KYC & Verification Providers for identity verification, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance;
• Government & Regulators where required by law or for approved public-interest projects;
• Service Providers (IT, security, cloud hosting, analytics, communication tools) who support our operations under strict confidentiality obligations;
• Associations & Cooperatives (where you belong) for group benefits, enumeration data, and structured support programs – in line with agreed terms;
• Professional advisors (lawyers, auditors, consultants) where reasonably necessary.

All third parties are required to process your data in accordance with applicable data protection laws and our contractual agreements.

8. Data Security & Protection

We take data security seriously and implement industry-standard measures, including:

• Encryption of sensitive data (e.g. AES and other secure protocols);
• Secure transmission via HTTPS/SSL;
• Strong access controls, authentication, and role-based permissions;
• Regular security monitoring, audits, and vulnerability checks;
• Strict internal policies for staff who handle personal data.

While we work hard to protect your information, no system is completely immune to risk. We will promptly investigate and, where required, notify you and regulators of any data breach.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to:

• Provide services and maintain your TradEdge account;
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations;
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements;
• Maintain accurate records for financial and compliance purposes.

When data is no longer required, we will securely delete, anonymise, or archive it in line with applicable laws and internal policies.

10. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Under NDPR and other applicable laws, you may have the following rights:

• Right to access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you;
• Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
• Right to erasure: Request deletion of your data where it is no longer needed or you withdraw consent (subject to legal obligations);
• Right to object: Object to certain forms of processing, including direct marketing;
• Right to restriction: Request temporary restriction on processing in certain cases;
• Right to data portability: Request that we transfer your data to you or another service provider where technically feasible;
• Right to withdraw consent: Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@tradedge.ng with sufficient information to verify your identity and request.

11. Children’s Data

TradEdge is primarily designed for adults and businesses. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children below the age permitted by local law without parental or guardian consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data without consent, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

12. Third-Party Websites & Services

Our website and applications may contain links to third-party websites, apps, or services (e.g. partner banks, government portals, insurance providers). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal data.

13. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers or partners may be located outside Nigeria. Where personal data is transferred internationally, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in line with NDPR and other applicable regulations, such as contractual protections and secure transmission methods.

14. Marketing, Notifications & Communication

We may send you:

• Service-related notifications (transactions, security alerts, account changes);
• Information about new features, products, or programs relevant to your business or association;
• Marketing messages, where you have given consent or where permitted by law.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our messages or by contacting us directly. However, you may still receive essential service-related communications.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, how your data is handled, or if you wish to exercise your rights, please reach out:

Email: support@tradedge.ng

Phone: +234 9017287101

We will do our best to respond promptly and address your request in line with applicable laws.