The agreement combines ITC’s expertise in market intelligence, SME development and inclusive trade with DHL’s global logistics network and technical expertise. SMEs account for around 90% of businesses globally, provide roughly 70% of employment and contribute 70% of global GDP, making them play a critical role in driving growth and job creation, yet many continue to face barriers to participating fully in international trade. This partnership aims to strengthen the ecosystem of support that helps businesses overcome those barriers and access new opportunities.
Under the agreement, ITC and DHL will:
Over the past decade, ITC and DHL have worked together through DHL GoTrade (https://apo-opa.co/4gYomrG), ITC SheTrades, (www.SheTrades.com) and the ITC ecomConnect (https://ecomConnect.org/) programme, reaching small businesses across more than 60 countries across Africa, ASEAN, Latin America and the Caribbean. The partnership has combined training with tailored support, including shipping assistance for SMEs and women-led businesses, and has extended to advocacy and high-level dialogue that amplifies the voice of small businesses in global trade discussions. In July 2025, DHL took part as a private-sector champion at ITC’s inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting (https://apo-opa.co/477ihDn) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton (https://apo-opa.co/4AfQePv) said: ‘For small businesses, the main challenge is not in creating quality products for customers, but getting it to them. That’s why we’re deepening our work with DHL to help more small businesses, particularly women-led businesses, to overcome last-mile logistics barriers and reach new markets, and to ensure their perspectives are heard at decision-making tables.’
Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said: ‘SMEs are the backbone of economies worldwide, yet their participation in international trade remains disproportionately low. The challenge is rarely a lack of ambition. More often, businesses need access to knowledge, finance, digital capabilities and logistics support. That is why partnerships like this matter. By bringing together the right partners, we can build the ecosystems that help businesses grow with confidence, reach new customers and unlock the opportunities that international trade creates.’
About the ITC and DHL partnership
DHL and ITC have partnered since 2016 to advance inclusive trade. Results to date include:
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL.
You can find the press release for download as well as further information on https://apo-opa.co/4rhkaqr
Media Contact:
DHL Group
Media Relations
Dirk Heinrichs
Phone: +49 228 182-9944
E-mail: pressestelle@dhl.com
Follow ITC on:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4Az7v6L
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4Ab30yN
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4Al44As
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/46Z4crF
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4xx6BVo
About DHL – The logistics company for the world:
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivaled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
On the internet: https://apo-opa.co/4hwa4i4
About ITC SheTrades:
The SheTrades Initiative is the International Trade Centre's flagship women and trade programme. It works with women, business support organizations, policymakers and value chain actors to strengthen the people, ecosystems, and policies that enable women to participate in and benefit from trade.
For more information, please visit SheTrades.com: www.SheTrades.com
About ITC:
The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (www.WTO.org) and the United Nations (www.UN.org). ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit www.InTraCen.org.
This website uses cookies.
