South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Standard Bank, MTN and DHL have announced strategic partnerships aimed at helping SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa overcome barriers to growth and participate more effectively in regional and global trade.
Launched under DHL’s GoTrade programme, the initiatives will focus on challenges including limited access to finance, export readiness, digital adoption, trade knowledge and access to international markets.
Since its launch in 2021, GoTrade has expanded to more than 50 countries and supported over 24,000 SMEs globally, including more than 8,000 women-owned businesses. More than 8,000 SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in GoTrade programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
The dtic-DHL partnership will support trade education, business clinics, capacity building, trade missions and corridor activation initiatives, while increasing awareness of frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Standard Bank will contribute trade-finance expertise, its pan-African network and export-readiness support to help SMEs access finance, buyers, trade networks and new markets. Its Export Readiness Programme, first launched in KwaZulu-Natal in 2025, has since expanded to Gauteng and the Western Cape.
MTN will support businesses through digital skills training, connectivity, cloud solutions, digital payments, online marketing and mentorship, helping SMEs use technology to improve efficiency and expand their reach.
DHL plans to invest €300 million across Africa by 2030, reinforcing its focus on expanding trade participation and supporting sustainable business growth.
The partnerships bring together government, finance, telecommunications and logistics capabilities to create a broader support ecosystem for African SMEs, with the aim of strengthening export readiness, creating jobs and expanding access to regional and global markets.
