DHL Express, the global leader in international express shipping, and Absa Group, a leading pan-African financial services provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under DHL’s GoTrade initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Sub-Saharan Africa expand beyond their domestic markets and achieve sustainable growth.
The DHL GoTrade initiative is designed to stimulate cross-border trade by enabling SMEs to participate more effectively in global markets. The programme leverages DHL’s extensive logistics network, expertise, and strategic partnerships to address key barriers to international trade, including limited logistics knowledge, financing constraints, regulatory complexity, and digital readiness.
Through the partnership, DHL Express and Absa Group will combine their strengths to equip African entrepreneurs with practical tools, training, and access to financial and logistics services that support cross-border trade, e-commerce, and inclusive economic development.
The two organisations will also introduce tailored banking and logistics solutions for SMEs engaged in cross-border trade. These solutions will support formal businesses while encouraging the adoption of green logistics and sustainable supply chain practices.
“Our main goal is to ensure that African SMEs have the tools they need to access and compete in the global marketplace. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to facilitating trade through the growth of SMEs,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.
“By combining logistics expertise with financial and digital solutions, we are helping entrepreneurs expand beyond local markets and build resilient, future-ready businesses,” he added.
As part of the partnership, DHL Express will provide facilitators and trade experts to deliver logistics and cross-border trade training to SMEs within Absa’s extensive business network. The training will be based on the Trade and Grow Beyond Borders curriculum, which features 14 interactive modules designed to support SMEs at different stages of their business journey.
“SMEs are the engine of inclusive growth in Africa, creating jobs, strengthening communities, and increasing the continent’s participation in global trade,” said Faisal Mkhize, Managing Executive for Business Development, Business Banking Pan-Africa at Absa.
“Through our collaboration with DHL Express, we are giving our customers practical access to trade knowledge, e-commerce capabilities, and sustainable solutions that will enable them to grow beyond borders and compete with confidence,” he added.
The agreement also establishes a framework for continued collaboration between DHL Express and Absa Group, enabling both organisations to identify opportunities for new technologies, process improvements, and innovations that enhance SME support, improve operational efficiency, and maximise the partnership’s impact across Africa.
