Standard Bank South Africa has expanded its Export Readiness Programme to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Gauteng and the Western Cape, moving the initiative beyond its initial pilot footprint in KwaZulu-Natal. To support this multi-province expansion, global logistics giant DHL Express South Africa has joined the initiative as the primary technical export readiness partner. The firm will provide technical workshops on international supply chains, cross-border customs regulations, and global trade documentation.
The corporate expansion matches strong macroeconomic momentum in South Africa’s trade sector:
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Capitalizing on a Surging National Trade Surplus: The expansion comes as South Africa reports a major expansion in its trade balance. According to preliminary data from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the country achieved a cumulative trade surplus of R89.3 billion during the first four months of 2026. This is a significant increase from the R39.8 billion trade surplus recorded during the same period last year, indicating strong international demand for South African goods.
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Providing End-to-End Export Capacity Training: Delivered through Standard Bank’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) portfolio, the curriculum covers market research, localized entry strategies, international compliance, and structured export finance. Naledzani Mosomane, Head of ESD for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa, noted that the program focuses on building internal capabilities so that businesses can maintain sustainable, long-term operations rather than just securing one-off foreign buyers.
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Mitigating Complex International Logistics Risks: Navigating different border controls remains a major obstacle for smaller enterprises trying to scale up. Herman Venter, Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, stated that the technical partnership will demystify complex international shipping protocols and duties. Crucially, the program is bank-agnostic, meaning qualifying SMEs can apply regardless of where they hold their corporate banking accounts, provided they meet the core turnover and ownership criteria before the July 10 application deadline.
