FNB Namibia and DHL Namibia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at helping Namibian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) overcome financing and market access challenges that continue to limit their participation in international trade.
The partnership will provide SMEs with access to financing, export training, mentorship, logistics support and international market opportunities through DHL Namibia’s GoTrade programme and FNB’s business financing and advisory services.
Under the agreement, SMEs participating in the GoTrade programme will receive support to develop their export capabilities, while FNB will provide tailored financing solutions, financial literacy training and business advisory services.
The financing component will focus on helping growing businesses secure working capital to fulfil export orders, manage cash flow and expand operations.
FNB Namibia’s De Jongh said limited access to finance and international markets remained among the biggest obstacles preventing local businesses from expanding beyond Namibia.
“SMEs are the heartbeat of our economy. Yet we also know that the road for an SME is rarely smooth,” De Jongh said.
“Market access and financing are two sides of the same coin. Solving one without the other only takes an SME halfway. That is precisely why this partnership exists.”
De Jongh said the collaboration would allow entrepreneurs to develop international trading skills through DHL while accessing financial support and business advice from FNB to turn export opportunities into commercial growth.
“An SME learns to trade internationally through GoTrade, and FNB provides the financing, financial skills and advice to turn that learning into real growth. The result is a business that is export-ready and internationally competitive,” De Jongh said.
DHL Namibia Managing Director Dirk S. van Doorn said the agreement would enable SMEs participating in DHL’s programmes to benefit from FNB’s financial and business development services.
“We are delighted to enter into a MoU with FNB knowing that our SME sector will have the ability to benefit from the FNB programmes,” Van Doorn said.
The two companies said the partnership would also seek to expand entrepreneurship opportunities across Namibia, support job creation and enable more local businesses to participate in international trade.
However, FNB said access to financing under the arrangement would not be automatic, with all applications remaining subject to the bank’s existing credit assessment and governance requirements.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between the two companies, although no specific funding commitment, SME participation target or implementation timeline was disclosed.
