DHL and ITC renew partnership to expand international trade support for women-led SMEs

DHL and ITC renew partnership to expand international trade support for women-led SMEs. The International Trade Centre (ITC) and DHL have renewed their partnership to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, overcome logistics and trade barriers when entering international markets.

The renewed memorandum of understanding combines ITC’s market intelligence and SME development expertise with DHL’s logistics network and technical capabilities.

Under the agreement, the organisations will support SMEs with exports, supply chains and logistics while working with business support organisations and ITC SheTrades Hubs to strengthen services for small and women-led businesses.

The partners will also advocate for SMEs and women entrepreneurs in global trade discussions and engage with private-sector and government stakeholders.

ITC and DHL said SMEs account for around 90% of businesses globally and approximately 70% of employment and global gross domestic product, but many continue to face barriers to international trade.

Pamela Coke-Hamilton, executive director of ITC, said the partnership would focus on helping small businesses address logistics challenges and access new markets.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said SMEs often require access to knowledge, finance, digital capabilities and logistics support to participate more effectively in international trade.

DHL and ITC have worked together since 2016 through initiatives including DHL GoTrade, ITC SheTrades and ITC ecomConnect.

Since 2021, DHL GoTrade projects have been launched in more than 60 countries, reaching more than 26,000 SMEs and 8,000 women-owned businesses through training covering logistics, e-commerce and trade.

Through ITC SheTrades, the organisations have reached more than 4,000 women-led businesses across 60 countries with technical assistance, logistics expertise and shipping solutions.

The partnership has also involved SheTrades Hubs in Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago.

Between 2020 and 2024, ITC ecomConnect connected more than 400 SMEs with DHL support, including preferential shipping arrangements that reduced costs by up to 60% in selected markets.