Terms of Service
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Important Notice: By accessing or using the Africoin platform, Africa Railways services, or any related applications, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully.
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Africoin digital railway infrastructure platform, including the Africa Railways ticketing system, Sentinel Portal, OCC Dashboard, and all related services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms.
2. Description of Services
2.1 Africoin Platform
Africoin is a blockchain-based digital infrastructure platform designed to facilitate railway operations, ticketing, and logistics across Africa. The platform utilizes:
- Polygon blockchain for NFT-based ticket minting
- Sui blockchain for fast event processing
- IPFS for decentralized metadata storage
- USSD gateway for feature phone accessibility
2.2 Africa Railways Services
Our railway services include digital ticketing, real-time tracking, gasless NFT minting, and mobile/USSD-based ticket purchases.
3. User Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to use our Services. By using the Services, you represent and warrant that:
- You are of legal age to form a binding contract
- You are not prohibited from using the Services under applicable laws
- All information you provide is accurate and current
- You will maintain the security of your account credentials
4. Account Registration
4.1 Account Creation
To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, complete, and current information
- Maintain and update your information
- Keep your password secure and confidential
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
4.2 Account Responsibility
You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized use of your account.
5. Ticket Purchases and NFTs
5.1 Digital Tickets
Railway tickets are issued as NFTs on the Polygon blockchain. By purchasing a ticket, you acknowledge that:
- Tickets are non-transferable unless explicitly stated
- Tickets are valid only for the specified route, date, and class
- Refund policies apply as stated at the time of purchase
- Lost or stolen tickets may not be replaceable
5.2 Payment Processing
Payments are processed through integrated payment gateways including M-Pesa and other mobile money services. You agree to pay all applicable fees and charges.
5.3 Gasless Transactions
We utilize Alchemy Gas Policy to sponsor transaction fees for ticket minting. This service is provided at our discretion and may be modified or discontinued.
6. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
6.1 Blockchain Technology
Our Services utilize blockchain technology. You acknowledge that:
- Blockchain transactions are irreversible
- Network congestion may cause delays
- Gas fees may fluctuate based on network conditions
- Smart contract interactions carry inherent risks
6.2 Africoin Token
The Africoin (AFRC) token is a utility token used within the platform. Token holders acknowledge:
- Tokens are not securities or investment instruments
- Token value may fluctuate
- The 1% burn mechanism applies to freight transactions
- Tokens may be subject to regulatory changes
7. Prohibited Activities
You agree not to:
- Use the Services for any illegal purpose
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
- Interfere with or disrupt the Services
- Reverse engineer or decompile any part of the Services
- Use automated systems (bots) without authorization
- Resell tickets without proper authorization
- Manipulate or exploit the blockchain infrastructure
- Violate any applicable laws or regulations
8. Intellectual Property
All content, trademarks, logos, and intellectual property related to Africoin and Africa Railways are owned by us or our licensors. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute any content without written permission.
9. Privacy and Data Protection
Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy. We collect and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
10. Service Availability
We strive to maintain continuous service availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We reserve the right to:
- Modify or discontinue Services with or without notice
- Perform scheduled maintenance
- Suspend access for security or operational reasons
11. Limitation of Liability
IMPORTANT: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AFRICOIN AND AFRICA RAILWAYS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR USE, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES.
Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid for the Services in the 12 months preceding the claim.
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Africoin, Africa Railways, and our affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your use of the Services
- Your violation of any third-party rights
13. Initial DEX Offering (IDO) Terms
13.1 IDO Participation
By participating in the AFRC Initial DEX Offering, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
13.2 Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
- Legal Capacity: You have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
- Jurisdiction: You are not a resident or citizen of a restricted jurisdiction (including but not limited to: United States, China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, or any OFAC-sanctioned country)
- KYC/AML: You agree to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) verification as required
- Accreditation: You meet any accredited investor requirements applicable in your jurisdiction
13.3 Token Purchase Agreement
- Purchase Price: AFRC tokens are offered at $0.01 USD per token during the IDO
- Payment Methods: Accepted cryptocurrencies include ETH, USDT, USDC, and MATIC on Ethereum and Polygon networks
- Minimum/Maximum: Contribution limits may apply based on your tier and regulatory requirements
- No Refunds: All token purchases are final and non-refundable except as required by law
- Transaction Fees: You are responsible for all blockchain network fees (gas fees)
13.4 Vesting Schedule
Tokens purchased during the IDO are subject to the following vesting schedule:
- Token Generation Event (TGE): 10% of purchased tokens unlocked immediately
- Linear Vesting: Remaining 90% vested linearly over 12 months
- Cliff Period: No cliff period for public sale participants
- Vesting Contract: Tokens held in smart contract until vesting completion
13.5 Risks and Disclaimers
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING RISKS:
- Volatility Risk: Cryptocurrency values are highly volatile; you may lose your entire investment
- Regulatory Risk: Crypto regulations are evolving and may adversely affect AFRC
- Technology Risk: Smart contracts may contain bugs or vulnerabilities despite audits
- Market Risk: No guarantee of liquidity or listing on exchanges
- Project Risk: The project may fail to achieve its roadmap goals
- No Investment Advice: Nothing in our communications constitutes investment advice
- No Guarantee of Returns: Past performance or projections do not guarantee future results
13.6 Representations and Warranties
By participating in the IDO, you represent and warrant that:
- All information provided during registration and KYC is accurate and complete
- Your funds are from legitimate sources and not derived from illegal activities
- You are not using the Services for money laundering or terrorist financing
- You have consulted with tax, legal, and financial advisors as necessary
- You understand blockchain technology and cryptocurrency risks
- You are participating with funds you can afford to lose
13.7 Token Utility and Non-Security
AFRC tokens are utility tokens designed for use within the Africoin ecosystem:
- Utility Functions: Ticket purchases, staking rewards, governance voting, transaction fees
- Not Securities: AFRC tokens are not intended to be securities, investment contracts, or financial instruments
- No Profit Rights: Tokens do not represent equity, ownership, or profit-sharing rights
- Platform Dependency: Token utility depends on the continued operation of the Africoin platform
13.8 Whitelist and Allocation
- Whitelist Registration: Registration does not guarantee allocation or acceptance
- Allocation Limits: We reserve the right to set minimum and maximum contribution limits
- Priority Access: Whitelist participants receive priority over public sale participants
- Bonus Tokens: Bonus token amounts are subject to change and vesting schedules
- Rejection Rights: We reserve the right to reject any participant without explanation
13.9 Tax Obligations
You are solely responsible for:
- Determining applicable taxes on token purchases and holdings
- Reporting and paying all taxes to relevant authorities
- Maintaining records of all transactions for tax purposes
We do not provide tax advice. Consult with a qualified tax professional in your jurisdiction.
13.10 Listing and Liquidity
- No Listing Guarantee: We make no guarantees about exchange listings or liquidity
- Listing Timeline: Planned listing date is February 20, 2026, subject to change
- Listing Price: Initial listing price may differ from IDO price based on market conditions
- Trading Restrictions: Some jurisdictions may restrict secondary trading
13.11 Smart Contract Terms
- Code is Law: Smart contract code governs token distribution and vesting
- Immutability: Deployed contracts cannot be modified (except via governance)
- Audit Reports: Available at africarailways.com/audits.html
- Open Source: Contract code is publicly verifiable on block explorers
- Gas Costs: All blockchain transaction costs are borne by you
14. Dispute Resolution
14.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of South Africa, without regard to conflict of law principles.
14.2 Arbitration
Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA).
15. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website. Your continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
16. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your access to the Services immediately, without prior notice, for:
- Violation of these Terms
- Fraudulent or illegal activity
- Request by law enforcement
- Extended inactivity
17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
18. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms, please contact us:
Acknowledgment: By using the Africoin platform and Africa Railways services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.