Johannesburg: DHL and Absa Group have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand DHL's GoTrade programme across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), formalising a strategic partnership that paves the way for the rollout of the DHL GoTrade programme across key markets in SSA.
According to African Press Organization, by combining DHL's logistics expertise with Absa Group's extensive banking, digital, and financial capabilities, the partnership will equip SMEs with practical tools, training, and access to services that support cross-border trade, e-commerce growth, and sustainable business development. Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, commented on how the collaboration will assist SMMEs in overcoming the critical constraints to regional growth.
"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 Deputy Minister remarked.
The agreement 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. Hennie Heymans emphasized the importance of dreaming bigger for entrepreneurial success. "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," he stated.
By partnering with Absa Group, DHL aims to create a powerful ecosystem that combines logistics excellence with financial expertise, ensuring that SMEs across the continent can grow sustainably. Heymans highlighted that the primary objective is to help 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.
Approximately 1,600 SMEs have been trained in Uganda, one of the earliest markets to implement the programme, with more entrepreneurs also benefitting from Kenya, Botswana, and Zambia. Mozambique and Tanzania are next in line for rollout. Absa Group's Mkhize commented on the significance of SMEs in Africa's economic future, emphasizing that the partnership with DHL Express is about providing business owners with practical support and access to trade solutions to help them move beyond their local markets.
As the SME sector across SSA continues to play a critical role in driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation, the partnership between DHL and Absa Group is a commitment to helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers to trade and unlock new opportunities beyond their borders. Together, the two organisations aim to equip more businesses with the knowledge, networks, and support they need to grow sustainably, compete globally, and contribute to Africa's economic growth.
