DHL Express and Absa Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand DHL’s GoTrade programme across Sub-Saharan Africa, combining logistics and financial expertise to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to trade across borders.
Source: Supplied | From left to right: Hennie Heymans, CEO DHL Express SSA, Zuko Godlimpi, South Africa Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Faisal Mkhize, Managing Executive for Business Development, Business Banking Pan-Africa at Absa Group
The partnership will provide SMEs with practical tools, training and access to services aimed at supporting cross-border trade, e-commerce and business development.
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi said the partnership would help SMMEs address constraints to regional growth. “This partnership brings together the finance, logistics, market knowledge and public support that SMMEs need to trade beyond our borders.
"By building the capacity of South African enterprises to enter African markets, we are not only growing individual businesses - we are strengthening intra-African trade, creating jobs and using the African market to power South Africa's economic growth,” the Deputy Minister said.
The agreement was signed by Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, and Faisal Mkhize, managing executive for business development, Business Banking Pan-Africa at Absa Group.
Expanding support for cross-border trade
DHL’s GoTrade programme is designed to help SMEs address barriers to international trade, including limited logistics knowledge, financing constraints, regulatory complexity and digital readiness.
Under the partnership, DHL will bring its logistics expertise while Absa will contribute banking and financial capabilities to support businesses looking to expand beyond their domestic markets.
“Every successful business starts with someone brave enough to dream bigger. Across Africa, there are thousands of entrepreneurs with incredible ideas, determination and ambition, but many still face stumbling blocks when it comes to trading globally,” said Heymans.
“By partnering with Absa Group, we are creating a powerful ecosystem that combines logistics excellence with financial expertise, ensuring that SMEs across the continent to grow sustainably. To be clear, this is really about helping African SMEs turn big ambitions into real opportunities.
"Whether it's understanding how to export for the first time, finding the right financial support, reaching new customers online, or expanding into international markets,” he added.
Approximately 1,600 SMEs have been trained in Uganda, one of the earliest markets to implement the programme, with entrepreneurs in Kenya, Botswana and Zambia also benefiting. Mozambique and Tanzania are next in line for rollout.
“SMEs are at the heart of Africa's economic future. They create jobs and strengthen communities. Our partnership with DHL Express is about giving business owners practical support, and access to trade solutions that can help them move beyond their local markets and realise their growth ambitions,” said Mkhize.
