DHL Express, the global leader in international express logistics, and Absa Group, one of Africa’s largest pan-continental financial services providers, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Sub-Saharan Africa expand beyond their home markets and pursue sustainable growth.
According to a statement from DHL, the partnership will be developed under the company’s GoTrade initiative, a programme designed to strengthen cross-border trade and improve the competitiveness of SMEs in international markets.
The initiative draws on DHL’s logistics network, expertise and existing partnerships to help businesses overcome some of the most persistent barriers to international trade, including limited logistics knowledge, financing constraints, the complexity of regulatory requirements and low levels of digital readiness.
The partnership combines DHL Express’s global logistics capabilities with Absa’s banking and digital solutions, giving African entrepreneurs access to practical tools, specialist training and services aimed at facilitating cross-border trade, e-commerce and more inclusive economic growth.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will develop tailored banking and logistics solutions for SMEs operating across borders, while also supporting companies that adopt green logistics practices and sustainable supply chains.
“Our primary objective is to ensure that African SMEs have the tools they need to access and compete in the global market. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to facilitating trade,” said Hennie Heymans, Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Heymans added that combining DHL’s logistics expertise with financial and digital solutions will enable businesses to expand beyond local markets and become more resilient and future-ready.
Under the partnership, DHL Express will deploy trade-route facilitators and specialists to deliver logistics and cross-border trade training to SMEs within Absa’s client network. The training will be based on the Trade and Grow Beyond Borders programme, which comprises 14 interactive modules designed to support businesses at different stages of their development.
For Faisal Mkhize, Chief Executive for Business Development at Absa’s Pan-African Business Banking division, SMEs represent “the engine of inclusive growth in Africa” by creating jobs, strengthening communities and broadening the continent’s participation in international trade.
“Through this collaboration with DHL Express, we are giving our clients practical access to trade knowledge, e-commerce capabilities and the sustainable solutions they need to grow beyond borders and compete with confidence,” Mkhize said.
The MoU also establishes a framework for ongoing cooperation between the two organisations to identify opportunities for adopting new technologies, optimising processes and developing innovative solutions aimed at strengthening SME support, improving operational efficiency and expanding the partnership’s impact across Africa.
Source: Mercado / Original article: https://mercado.co.ao/dhl-express-e-absa-unem-se-para-impulsionar-comercio-transfronteirico-das-pme-na-africa-subsaarianaafrica/
