A partnership agreement between International Trade Centre (ITC) and DHL to facilitate trade and improve access to e-commerce transportation and logistics in Africa was yesterday signed in Kigali.

The partnership according to Stefano Arganese , the Chief Executive Officer, DHL Freight - Central, Eastern, Southern Europe, America, Middle East and Africa focuses on knowledge transfer for SME competitiveness, in particular logistics and supply chain management.

"The ITC-DHL partnership builds SME competence in export processes, allowing them easier access to regional and global trade. DHL provides in-kind support through staff resources, expertise and training materials,” he said.

DHL and ITC have joined forces for logistics advisory support to country-based projects for customs clearance services and transport management for SMEs, along with advisory work with government authorities.

A logistics and transport advisory programme, in partnership with regional institutions, has already begun in Senegal, and is expanding to the other eight countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

So far, Rwanda’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), like those of other African countries, are largely absent from international e-commerce channels.

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