African SMEs gain support to expand cross-border trade

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.”