DHL, Standard Bank, MTN and dtic Partner to Boost SME Trade Across Africa

South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic),  Standard Bank,  MTN  and DHL  have announced a series of strategic partnerships aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Sub-Saharan Africa scale their businesses, access new markets and participate more effectively in regional and global trade.

The initiatives, launched under DHL’s GoTrade programme, seek to address key barriers to SME growth, including limited access to finance, export-readiness challenges, gaps in digital adoption and constraints around market access.

Since its launch in 2021, GoTrade has expanded to more than 50 countries and supported over 24,000 SMEs globally, including more than 8,000 women-owned businesses. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 8,000 SMEs have participated in GoTrade programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

DHL also plans to invest €300 million across Africa by 2030, with continued investment in programmes designed to expand participation in trade and support sustainable business growth.

“Across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), SMEs represent more than 90% of businesses and provide approximately 70% of employment, making them one of the continent’s most important engines of economic opportunity and inclusive growth. Despite their significance, many of our entrepreneurs continue to face barriers related to financing, digital adoption, trade knowledge and market access, limiting their ability to participate fully in regional and global trade. We are excited to work with our partners to create a collaborative ecosystem aimed at addressing these challenges through practical interventions that support businesses at every stage of their export journey.”

– Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL Express SSA

The partnerships bring together government, financial services, telecommunications and international logistics expertise to establish a support ecosystem for businesses seeking to expand through trade.

The dtic-DHL partnership aligns with the department’s objectives around industrialisation, export growth and emerging exporter development. It will focus on trade education, capacity-building programmes, business clinics, trade missions, corridor activation initiatives and greater awareness of trade frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other agreements that can open new opportunities for African businesses.

“This partnership between the dtic and DHL demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing trade and economic development. By working together with private-sector partners, we can provide businesses with practical support that enhances competitiveness, drives export participation and enables more emerging exporters (especially SMEs) to benefit from regional and global trade opportunities. Government’s role is to convene the right partners around a common framework, and this initiative reflects exactly that: the dtic setting the direction, with DHL and its partners Standard Bank and MTN strengthening delivery on the ground.”

– Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa

Standard Bank will contribute its pan-African footprint, trade-finance expertise and cross-border trade ecosystem to help SMEs access new markets and participate in regional and global value chains.

The bank will support businesses in turning export ambitions into executable trade opportunities through finance, advisory services and access to trade networks. SMEs will also be connected to Standard Bank’s Export Readiness Programme, which provides knowledge, advisory support and practical tools for competing internationally. First launched in KwaZulu-Natal in 2025, the programme has since expanded to Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Standard Bank’s partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) also supports business matchmaking, trade linkages and market-access opportunities between African and Chinese businesses. In 2025, the bank connected clients from four African markets with Chinese importers across product categories including rooibos tea, coffee, cocoa, nuts and wine.

“Access to finance alone is not enough. SMEs also need access to buyers, markets, trade knowledge and trusted networks. Through our Export Readiness Programme, our international partnerships and our collaboration with DHL, Standard Bank is helping African businesses build the practical capabilities and connections they need to trade beyond their domestic markets. This partnership strengthens our ability to support SMEs across key trade corridors, including within Africa, and to help them grow with greater confidence.”

– Bill Blackie, Chief Executive of Business&Commercial Banking, Standard Bank Group

MTN, meanwhile, will support SMEs with digital skills training, connectivity and cloud solutions designed to enable secure data storage, team collaboration, remote working and business scalability. The partnership will also provide digital payment capabilities, online marketing support, mentorship and guidance on entering new markets through exporting.

“Digital transformation is a critical enabler of business growth and competitiveness. By combining MTN’s reach and digital capabilities with DHL’s international trade expertise, we can help SMEs embrace technology, improve business performance and access new opportunities across Africa and beyond.”

– David Behr, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Group

The partners aim to build a stronger pipeline of export-ready businesses equipped to compete in increasingly interconnected markets. The initiatives are expected to contribute to entrepreneurship, job creation and economic inclusion across African markets.

“African SMEs have the ambition and innovation needed to compete globally, but they cannot do it alone. Success in international trade requires access to the right combination of knowledge, finance, technology, policy support and logistics capability. By bringing together the strengths of the public and private sectors, we are creating an ecosystem that will help more businesses become export-ready, connect to international markets and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s economic growth agenda. Our ambition is not only to help SMEs trade more, but to help them grow sustainably, create jobs and unlock new opportunities across the continent.”

– Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa