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New partnership strengthens African SMEs’ access to global markets

African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to receive expanded assistance to help them participate more effectively in regional and international trade following a new multi-sector partnership

The initiative brings together the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), DHL, Standard Bank and MTN under DHL’s GoTrade programme. By combining expertise in government policy, logistics, financial services and telecommunications, the partners aim to address some of the challenges that prevent smaller businesses from entering overseas markets.

The programme will provide support covering export preparedness, access to finance, digital adoption and market connectivity, giving SMEs practical resources to develop their international trading capabilities.

Building export capacity

The dtic and DHL partnership will place particular emphasis on improving businesses’ understanding of trade and strengthening their ability to export.

Planned activities include trade education, capacity-building programmes, business clinics, trade missions and corridor activation initiatives. Businesses will also receive greater exposure to trade frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), alongside other agreements that could open additional opportunities across African markets.

The programme aligns with the dtic’s wider priorities of industrialisation, export expansion and the development of emerging exporters.

Acting deputy director-general Willem van der Spuy said the partnership demonstrates the role that collaboration can play in strengthening trade and economic development.

“This partnership between the dtic and DHL demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing trade and economic development,” said van der Spuy.

“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.”

Improving access to finance

Standard Bank will contribute its African network and experience in trade finance to help businesses prepare for and enter new markets.

Its role will include financial and advisory support, alongside access to trade networks and other resources. The bank’s Export Readiness Programme is designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and guidance for conducting business internationally.

First introduced in KwaZulu-Natal in 2025, the programme has subsequently been extended to Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Standard Bank is also working with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to create connections between African and Chinese businesses. The collaboration provides opportunities for business matchmaking, trade relationships and access to new markets.

During 2025, the bank connected clients from four African countries with Chinese importers interested in products such as rooibos tea, coffee, cocoa, nuts and wine.

Bill Blackie, chief executive of business and commercial banking at Standard Bank Group, said finance needs to be combined with market access and trade expertise.

“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,” said Blackie.

Digital tools for business growth

MTN will complement the programme with digital services and skills designed to help SMEs strengthen their operations.

Support will include digital training, connectivity and cloud-based solutions for secure data storage, collaboration and remote working. SMEs will also have access to digital payment tools, online marketing assistance, mentorship and guidance on using exports to enter new markets.

“Digital transformation is a critical enabler of business growth and competitiveness,” said David Behr, MTN Group chief enterprise business officer. “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.”

Expanding DHL GoTrade across Africa

The partnership forms part of DHL’s GoTrade programme, which has been introduced in more than 50 countries since 2021. The initiative has supported more than 24,000 SMEs globally, including over 8,000 women-owned enterprises.

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 8,000 SMEs have participated in GoTrade programmes and related capacity-building activities.

DHL has also pledged €300m in investment across Africa by 2030, with the company continuing to support initiatives intended to increase participation in international trade and encourage sustainable economic growth.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express sub-Saharan Africa, said SMEs remain a significant part of the continent's economy but face barriers to participating in international trade.

“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,” said Heymans.

The partners expect the initiative to strengthen the pipeline of businesses prepared to export and compete in increasingly connected markets. The programme is also intended to contribute to entrepreneurship, employment and broader economic inclusion across the continent.

Heymans added: “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.”

Taara, Liquid expand high-speed connectivity across Nigeria

Taara, a graduate of X, Google’s Moonshot Factory and a provider of high-speed, high-capacity wireless optical communication, is continuing its collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, part of Cassava Technologies, to strengthen enterprise connectivity in Nigeria

The partnership is helping Liquid extend high-capacity bandwidth from its points of presence at Africa Data Centres and other leading data centres in Nigeria to large enterprises located both within and beyond existing fibre networks.

The approach provides an alternative in locations where traditional fibre deployments can be expensive, time-consuming or difficult to implement. It also supports network resilience in areas where fibre cuts can result in outages lasting several days before services are restored.

Over the past two years, Liquid has deployed nearly a dozen Taara links across Lagos. The links are being used to provide high-speed connectivity to large local enterprises while improving network resilience across key commercial areas serving internet service providers, banks, hotels and a utility company.

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies, with some analysts reporting faster economic growth in 2026 than in the previous five years. Lagos, as the country’s largest and fastest-growing commercial hub, presents particular challenges for network expansion because of its dense urban environment.

As enterprise demand for connectivity increases, operators are turning to a combination of technologies to extend network coverage and strengthen redundancy. Liquid is using Taara’s wireless optical technology to expand connectivity in some of the country’s more challenging environments.

The technology uses highly focused beams of light to transmit data wirelessly, allowing operators to establish links within days rather than weeks. This can help accelerate customer deployments while working alongside existing fibre infrastructure.

Liquid is also assessing opportunities to extend wireless optical communication to additional Nigerian locations, including Abuja, Ibadan and Kano.

“For Liquid, deployment speed has been one of the most significant advantages. Traditional fiber deployments aren’t always a possibility, especially across difficult terrains. Taara links can often be installed and activated within hours, allowing Liquid to ensure it is remaining true to its mission to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind,” said Eugene Uka, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria.

“As demand for connectivity continues to grow, operators need more flexibility in how they expand and reinforce their networks,” said Bhavesh Mistry, Regional Lead for Taara in Africa. “Fiber remains an essential part of modern communications infrastructure, and will for some time, but there are many situations where deploying fiber quickly or cost-effectively can be difficult. Wireless optical communication gives operators another tool to extend capacity, reach customers faster, and build more resilient networks without compromising performance.”

Taara Lightbridge provides a connectivity option positioned between fibre and conventional radio-frequency technologies. It can deliver up to 20 Gbps of capacity over distances of up to 20 kilometres using narrow, invisible beams of light.

The platform allows operators to deploy high-capacity links without trenching, spectrum licensing or extensive civil works. This can help address connectivity gaps in locations where conventional infrastructure deployment may otherwise be impractical.

Taara Lightbridge is currently deployed in more than 20 countries by operators including T-Mobile, Airtel, Digicel, Liquid and SoftBank. The technology is being used to extend and reinforce network capacity across urban, rural, remote and hard-to-reach environments.

Ethio telecom, ZTE advance network modernisation

Ethio telecom has reviewed the progress of its network expansion and modernisation programme with senior representatives from ZTE Corporation, as the two companies continue to work towards expanding Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure

Ethio telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru hosted a delegation from ZTE led by executive vice-president and chief operating officer Xie Junshi. Discussions focused on the implementation of the Network Expansion and Modernisation Agreement, which was finalised during Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.

The engagement forms part of the companies’ wider efforts to support Ethio telecom’s Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy and accelerate the development of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Within the ZTE circle, the end-to-end modernisation programme covers 879 sites. Of these, 462 RAN modernisation sites have been completed, including LTE layering at 180 sites, LTE upgrades at 248 sites and a full SWAP at 102 sites.

The programme has also delivered 237 MW link upgrades and expanded 103 IP RAN sites. Work on the remaining elements is continuing, including the deployment of 124 new sites, U2100 refarming at 272 sites and 115 rural solution sites.

The completed rollout has helped extend high-speed mobile connectivity across Ethiopia, taking national 4G mobile population coverage within the ZTE circle to 92%. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to support increasing demand for digital services and provide improved connectivity for millions of people.

Frehiwot Tamru welcomed the progress achieved under the programme and highlighted its contribution towards the objectives set under the first year of the Next Horizon strategy. Ethio telecom’s leadership also recognised ZTE’s financing approach, technical capabilities and efforts to deliver the modernisation programme within demanding timelines.

The next stage of the programme is expected to continue with more ambitious targets. Ethio telecom’s CEO called on ZTE to maintain its support as the operator moves forward with further network expansion and modernisation.

The companies also discussed measures aimed at improving smartphone accessibility and helping narrow Ethiopia’s digital divide. Both sides agreed to explore innovative device financing solutions that could make affordable smartphones more accessible to consumers.

Increasing access to suitable devices is intended to help maximise the benefits of the expanded 4G network while supporting the growth of Ethiopia’s digital economy and society.

Sustainability was another focus of the discussions, with Ethio telecom and ZTE looking to accelerate the operator’s 'Green Operator' initiatives. The companies plan to collaborate on sustainable green energy infrastructure as part of efforts to lower the carbon footprint associated with telecommunications operations.

The green infrastructure initiative is intended to contribute to a more resilient and environmentally responsible network while supporting global environmental standards and Ethio telecom’s sustainability objectives.

At the conclusion of the engagement, ZTE’s COO praised Ethio telecom’s progress and its ambitious development strategy. He highlighted ZTE’s opportunity to support a major African telecommunications operator at significant scale.

Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their partnership, with a focus on supporting Ethiopia’s digital development, expanding connectivity and maintaining technological excellence.

Telna partners Bayobab to scale eSIM connectivity across Africa

Telna has entered into a strategic partnership with MTN Digital Infrastructure, the parent company of Bayobab, to support the rollout of travel eSIM services across several African markets

The collaboration combines Telna’s CONNECT platform with Bayobab’s IPX capabilities, giving operating companies the infrastructure and digital tools needed to introduce branded travel eSIM offerings through digital channels.

The partnership is intended to make the launch of new connectivity services more straightforward by bringing digital enablement and international connectivity together within a coordinated operating model. This approach is designed to help operating companies deploy services more efficiently while maintaining their individual brands and providing customers with a consistent experience across markets.

Under the arrangement, Telna’s CONNECT platform acts as the digital enablement layer for the travel eSIM services. Bayobab’s IPX services provide the international connectivity required to support eSIM activation and usage across participating markets.

The combined framework is designed to provide a scalable foundation for expansion into additional markets while supporting consistency in service delivery. The companies also see potential for the partnership to extend beyond travel eSIMs as digital connectivity requirements evolve.

The agreement addresses growing demand for cross-border connectivity by enabling operators to offer customers access to mobile services when travelling between markets.

“As demand for digital connectivity continues to grow across Africa, this partnership represents an important step in expanding access to innovative eSIM services. By combining Bayobab's connectivity capabilities with Telna's digital platform expertise, we are enabling operating companies to deliver seamless connectivity to customers across multiple markets,” shared Mohamed Bassit, chief communication platforms officer, Bayobab.

Gregory Gundelfinger, founder and CEO of Telna added, “Our collaboration with Bayobab extends its wholesale roaming business into the eSIM market, with Telna's managed eSIM travel offering making that move fast and straightforward. MNOs get a branded app webstore, marketing, and customer support, all ready to go, a simple wholesale path to sell eSIM access into travel apps and reach customers faster.”

Through the partnership, Telna and Bayobab aim to provide African operators with a scalable route to digital connectivity services, supporting both operators and customers as demand for flexible mobile connectivity grows across the continent.