DHL and Absa Group are taking their collaboration to the next stage with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding the DHL GoTrade programme across key markets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The agreement formalises a strategic partnership designed to give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) greater access to the practical tools, training and services needed to participate in cross-border trade, grow through e-commerce and build sustainable businesses.
The initiative brings together DHL’s logistics expertise and Absa Group’s banking, digital and financial capabilities, creating a support ecosystem intended to help African entrepreneurs overcome some of the barriers that continue to limit their access to regional and international markets.
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi said the partnership could help SMMEs tackle some of the most important constraints standing in the way of regional expansion.
“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 MOU 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.
For Heymans, the programme is ultimately about turning the ambitions of African entrepreneurs into tangible business opportunities.
“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.
The GoTrade programme is already delivering results in several African markets. Approximately 1,600 SMEs have been trained in Uganda, one of the first countries to implement the programme. Entrepreneurs in Kenya, Botswana and Zambia have also benefited from the initiative, while Mozambique and Tanzania are next in line for its rollout.
Absa Group’s Mkhize highlighted the wider economic importance of supporting SMEs across the continent.
“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,” he said.
With SMEs continuing to play a central role in economic growth, innovation and job creation across Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL and Absa Group see the expanded GoTrade programme as a way to address persistent barriers to trade while opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Through the partnership, the two organisations aim to provide more businesses with the knowledge, networks and support required to expand sustainably, compete in global markets and contribute to the continued growth of African economies.
