Partners join forces to help African SMEs compete and grow across borders

JOHANNESBURG, August 13, 2026 — 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 some of the most common barriers facing African SMEs, including limited access to finance, export-readiness challenges, gaps in digital adoption and constraints to market access.

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

DHL plans to invest €300 million in Africa by 2030, with part of the investment supporting programmes designed to expand participation in international trade and promote sustainable business growth.

“Across sub-Saharan Africa, SMEs represent more than 90% of businesses and provide approximately 70 percent of employment, making them one of the continent’s most important engines of economic opportunity and inclusive growth,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

“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.”

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

The partnership between the dtic and DHL supports the department’s objectives of industrialisation, export growth and the development of emerging exporters. 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 creating opportunities for African businesses.

“This partnership between the dtic and DHL demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing trade and economic development,” said Acting Deputy Director-General Willem 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.”

Through its partnership with DHL, Standard Bank will use its pan-African footprint, trade-finance expertise and cross-border trade networks to help SMEs access new markets and participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.

The bank will support SMEs in turning export ambitions into viable trade opportunities by combining finance, advisory services and access to trade networks. It will also connect businesses to its Export Readiness Programme, which provides entrepreneurs with knowledge, advisory support and practical tools to compete internationally.

The programme was first launched in KwaZulu-Natal in 2025 and has since expanded to Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Standard Bank’s strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China [ICBC] also facilitates 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, helping to open new export opportunities for African businesses.

The bank’s trade and payments capabilities are also intended to help SMEs manage cross-border payments as they expand into international markets.

“Access to finance alone is not enough. SMEs also need access to buyers, markets, trade knowledge and trusted networks,” said Bill Blackie, Chief Executive of Business & Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group.

“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.”

Under its collaboration with DHL, MTN will support SMEs with digital skills training, connectivity and cloud solutions aimed at enabling 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 exports.

“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.”

The partners said the initiatives are expected to create a stronger pipeline of export-ready businesses capable of competing in increasingly interconnected markets, while supporting 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,” Heymans said.

“Success in international trade requires access to the right combination of knowledge, finance, technology, policy support and logistics capability.”

He said the collaboration would help more businesses become export-ready, connect to international markets and contribute to Africa’s economic growth.

“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,” he added.

https://thecooperator.news/msmes-in-ankole-urged-to-formalise-to-unlock-export-markets/

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