DHL and Absa target African SMEs expanding into cross-border trade

DHL and Absa Group have formalised a partnership to expand the DHL GoTrade programme across Sub-Saharan Africa, giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access to trade training, logistics support and financial services.

The partnership brings together DHL’s logistics capabilities and Absa’s banking and digital finance expertise to help SMEs overcome some of the barriers involved in cross-border trade and e-commerce. Businesses participating in the programme will receive practical training and access to services covering exports, logistics, financial support and digital commerce.

Supporting SMEs Beyond Local Markets

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, said the partnership could help SMMEs address constraints that limit their ability to expand into regional markets.

“This partnership brings together the finance, logistics, market knowledge and public support that SMMEs need to trade beyond our borders,” Godlimpi said.

He added that strengthening the ability of South African businesses to enter African markets could support intra-African trade, job creation and economic growth.

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.

GoTrade Builds on Existing SME Training

DHL’s GoTrade programme has already been implemented in several African markets, with Uganda among the earliest countries to adopt it. Approximately 1,600 Ugandan SMEs have been trained through the programme. Kenya, Botswana and Zambia are also participating, while Mozambique and Tanzania are next in line for rollout. For DHL, expanding the programme with Absa provides SMEs with support covering several stages of international trade.

“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.

He said the partnership would combine logistics and financial expertise to help businesses understand exporting, access appropriate financial support, reach customers online and expand into international markets.

Absa Adds Financial and Digital Support

Absa will bring its banking, digital and financial capabilities into the programme, giving participating SMEs access to trade-related solutions as they expand beyond their domestic markets.

“SMEs are at the heart of Africa’s economic future. They create jobs and strengthen communities,” said Mkhize.

He said the partnership with DHL would give business owners practical support and access to trade solutions that could help them move into new markets.

For SMEs, access to logistics and finance remains important as businesses look to sell across borders. Export requirements, payments, market access and delivery networks can all affect the ability of smaller companies to serve customers outside their home markets.

Expanding Cross-Border Trade Opportunities

DHL and Absa aim to extend the programme to more businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on building the knowledge and capabilities needed for cross-border trade and e-commerce. The companies expect the initiative to help SMEs access new customers, improve their ability to trade internationally and build more sustainable businesses.

The expansion also comes as African businesses gain access to a larger regional market through initiatives supporting intra-African trade. For smaller companies, practical assistance with logistics, finance and digital commerce can help turn access to those markets into actual sales opportunities.