Access Bank Ghana PLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global logistics giant DHL to support at least 50,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa in their efforts to expand trade across borders.
Ghana, like many African countries, has a growing SME sector that plays a critical role in driving economic growth and job creation.
However, many of these businesses face challenges in expanding beyond their domestic markets, including limited access to trade finance, inadequate knowledge of international trade processes, and logistical hurdles.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, the Head of SME Africa at Access Bank, Kafui Bimpeh, said the partnership is designed to empower SMEs to take full advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through capacity building, trade finance, and logistics support.
“We know the vast opportunities that exist, especially with the advent of AfCFTA, and we want to help SMEs unlock them,
This partnership brings together DHL’s global expertise in logistics and our strength in trade finance and SME support, creating a powerful platform for SMEs to grow beyond their local markets.” he said.
The initiative will provide free capacity-building sessions for SMEs across Africa, starting in Ghana next month, with plans to extend to Zambia and other countries.
The training will focus on export readiness, including registration, compliance, identifying international buyers, and navigating trade processes.
Mr. Bimpeh stressed the importance of SMEs to Africa’s economic development, noting that when SMEs grow, they contribute to job creation, poverty alleviation, and GDP growth.
“This partnership is about helping SMEs succeed. We will also provide them with competitive trade finance solutions to lower the cost of doing business,” he added.
The Access Bank-DHL partnership is expected to make a significant impact, with a target of reaching at least 50,000 SMEs within the first year.
The programme is free of charge, with the first capacity-building session to be delivered via webinar next month.
The Managing Director of DHL Ghana, Morgan Uloko, described SMEs as the “engine of growth” for economies across the continent.
He stated that many entrepreneurs across Africa are discovering opportunities across borders, but most lack the necessary know-how to take advantage of these opportunities.
He explained that DHL’s GoTrade and Growing Beyond Borders programmes, launched across Sub-Saharan Africa, have helped thousands of SMEs develop the skills to trade internationally.
“But it’s not just about know-how. A major challenge is trade finance. This partnership with Access Bank is about coining solutions—tailored financial support—that SMEs need to grow.
When SMEs grow, economies thrive, and that is the objective of all of this,” he added.
The MoU signals the intent of both organisations to collaborate on addressing critical challenges faced by SMEs, including access to financing, logistics, and capacity building.
