In a significant boost for South Africa’s small business sector, Standard Bank has announced the expansion of its Export Readiness Programme to two of the country’s key economic hubs—Gauteng and the Western Cape—through a strategic new partnership with global logistics giant DHL Express South Africa. The move follows a highly successful pilot phase in KwaZulu-Natal, which demonstrated the appetite and potential of locally based Black-owned enterprises to compete on the international stage.
The Export Readiness Programme is designed to be a comprehensive gateway for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have outgrown their domestic markets but lack the knowledge or resources to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade. Through a structured curriculum, participants will receive expert-led training covering a wide range of critical topics, including export regulations and compliance, customs documentation and clearance procedures, supply chain logistics, and strategies for accessing new markets. The partnership with DHL brings invaluable practical insight, giving businesses direct access to world-class shipping solutions and trade advisory services that can help them reduce costs and avoid common pitfalls.
To be eligible for the programme, businesses must meet specific criteria: they must be Black-owned, with an annual turnover falling between R1-million and R50-million, and must have been in operation for at least two years. The aim is to target established yet growing enterprises that have the capacity to scale but need the right support to take their products—whether manufactured goods, agricultural produce, or services—beyond South Africa’s borders.
Speaking on the partnership, Standard Bank officials emphasized that the programme is not just about education but about tangible economic transformation. By equipping entrepreneurs with the tools to export successfully, the bank hopes to contribute meaningfully to job creation, diversify the country’s export base, and empower historically excluded business owners. DHL Express South Africa echoed these sentiments, adding that the logistics provider is committed to removing barriers to trade and fostering a vibrant SME ecosystem. Applications for the expanded programme are now open, with industry experts urging eligible businesses to seize this rare opportunity to go global.
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