Logistics provider DHL and Absa Group, a financial institution offering commercial banking services, signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy the GoTrade program across sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement pairs shipping infrastructure with digital banking tools to help small and medium-sized enterprises execute cross-border transactions and expand e-commerce operations.
The initiative has trained 1,600 businesses in Uganda. The framework is active in Kenya, Botswana and Zambia, with planned deployment scheduled for Mozambique and Tanzania. Government officials view the private sector integration as a mechanism to address regional constraints on commercial 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,” said Zuko Godlimpi, deputy minister of trade, industry and competition.
The corporate partnership seeks to formalize international sales channels for regional enterprises facing structural barriers to export 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 Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa. “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.
The program directs resources toward companies seeking to expand beyond domestic consumer bases by securing capital access and supply chain routing.
“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 Faisal Mkhize, managing executive for business development, business banking pan-Africa at Absa Group.
