Standard Bank is seeking to expand into regional and international markets by combining financial services with market access, logistics and export-readiness support.
The bank has incorporated DHL’s GoTrade platform into its SME Export Readiness Programme, seeking to address practical challenges that businesses face when trading across borders, particularly those in landlocked markets and smaller enterprises shipping consignments between countries.
GoTrade provides SMEs with technical assistance, regulatory guidance, market access and export expertise to help them participate in international trade.
Head of Coverage for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group, Junaid Jadwat said African businesses needed more than competitive products to succeed internationally.
“African businesses have significant opportunities to grow beyond their domestic markets, but success in international trade requires more than a competitive product. Businesses need access to customers, market intelligence and trusted partners that can help them navigate the realities of cross-border trade,” said Jadwat.
“Partnerships such as GoTrade are important because they bring together complementary capabilities that help businesses navigate cross-border trade more effectively. Businesses need access to customers, market intelligence and trusted partners that can help them navigate the realities of cross-border trade,” he added.
The Export Readiness Programme, implemented with DHL Express South Africa, was initially launched in KwaZulu-Natal and expanded this year to Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The programme provides businesses with practical guidance on export processes, customs, compliance, logistics and market entry, alongside financial and trade expertise.
The collaboration is significant as intra-African trade accounts for only about 15 percent of the continent’s total trade, despite Africa having more than 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product exceeding US$3 trillion.
Standard Bank said its Africa-China Trade Solutions (ACTS) initiative had already generated tangible results. In 2025, clients from four African markets secured export contracts worth about US$140 million (R2.3 billion) with Chinese importers.
Through its partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the bank facilitates business matchmaking and provides financing, payments, foreign exchange, market intelligence and trade advisory services.
It also supported African exporters at major trade platforms, including the China International Import Expo and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
About Standard Bank’s Africa-China Trade Solutions (ACTS)
Standard Bank’s Africa-China Trade Solutions (ACTS) is a specialised trade facilitation offering that supports African businesses trading with China and Chinese businesses trading with Africa. Leveraging Standard Bank’s strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), ACTS provides end-to-end support across the trade value chain, including buyer and supplier matchmaking, trade finance, payment and foreign exchange solutions, logistics support, market-entry guidance and trade advisory services. ACTS also connects African exporters with Chinese buyers and helps businesses navigate market access requirements as they pursue opportunities in the Africa-China trade corridor.
Standard Bank was the first African bank to become a direct participant in China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and, together with its strategic partner ICBC, was recently authorised by the People’s Bank of China to clear Renminbi transactions, further enhancing payment and trade connectivity between Africa and China.
