DHL Launches Exporters Of The Year Awards Across Sub-Saharan Africa For Small And Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) – Brand Spur

Johannesburg, South Africa — September 29, 2025

DHL has announced the inaugural DHL Exporters of the Year Awards across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a new initiative designed to spotlight and celebrate the achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contributing to cross-border trade, economic growth, and best practices in international commerce.

The awards form part of DHL’s broader GoTrade program, which supports SMEs by helping them overcome common barriers to international trade, including access to training, finance, logistics, and digital tools. Through this initiative, DHL aims to strengthen the SME ecosystem and promote sustainable participation in global markets.

Who Can Apply

The awards are open to SMEs formally registered within any country in Sub-Saharan Africa. To be eligible, companies should:

• Have 25 or fewer full-time employees.
• Trade goods and products across borders and have done so for at least 12 months.
• Operate sustainably and demonstrate responsible business practices.
• Comply with international trade regulations.

SMEs are recognized as vital drivers of resilient economies. DHL emphasizes that these awards are intended to elevate the visibility of high-performing SMEs, champion their growth, and encourage sustainable trade practices across a wider range of markets and industries.

Award Categories

• ESG Excellence Exporter Award: Honours exporters with outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical governance, and social responsibility.
• Women Exporter of the Year Award: Recognizes women-led exporters demonstrating leadership, innovation, and success in expanding into global markets.
• Global Expansion Exporter Award: Celebrates SMEs that have achieved significant growth through increased participation in international trade.

Prizes and Recognition

Each category winner will receive a cash prize of 4,000 Euros. Winners will also be celebrated at a dedicated ceremony at DHL’s Innovation Centre in Dubai, where they will have opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and gain insights from DHL’s global experts and partners.

Why It Matters

With SMEs widely regarded as the backbone of many economies, DHL’s awards aim to reinforce their role in job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth. The initiative supports DHL’s purpose of connecting people and improving lives by providing a platform that recognizes excellence and encourages sustainable, long-term participation in global trade.

Key Dates

Entries are now open and will close on October 30, 2025.

Through the DHL Exporters of the Year Awards, the company underscores its commitment to uplifting entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa, fostering an enabling environment for SMEs to scale and succeed on the world stage.