AfCFTA: ECA and DHL Express join forces to empower African SMEs in intra-African trade

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 14, 2026, in Addis Ababa to boost African SME participation in intra-African trade through Regional Economic Communities and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The partnership will be implemented via DHL's GoTrade program, offering joint virtual training on customs procedures, logistics, e-commerce, regulatory compliance, market access, and trade finance, with a focus on women- and youth-led businesses. "Many African businesses have the ambition to grow beyond their local markets, but often face practical barriers," said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, noting that "opportunities only translate into growth when businesses have the necessary knowledge, confidence, and tools." The ECA projects that the full implementation of the AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade by 45% by 2045. Combining a global logistics operator with a UN institution also reflects the ECA's growing reliance on public-private partnerships to accelerate integration.