On August 29, 2024, KEPSA, in collaboration with DHL, held a workshop at the DHL House in Nairobi. The workshop, which was part of Cohort 2 of their training series, aimed to empower export-ready SMEs and enhance their ability to access global markets. The half-day workshop provided a comprehensive overview of international trade dynamics.

The participants were taken through by the DHL facilitators on various topics such as modern consumer expectations; highlighting that today’s buyers demand instant access to products and information. This shift necessitates that SMEs stay attuned to economic trends to effectively compete on a global scale.

DHL’s extensive reach across 52 African countries, presents a myriad of opportunities for SMEs. Some of the insights from the workshop were; cross-border order values are 17% higher compared to domestic sales, underscoring the significant potential in international markets. Furthermore, countries with high De Minimis values, such as Australia and the USA, are particularly lucrative for e-commerce ventures.

Another key area highlighted was the importance of social selling, noting that presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and LinkedIn is crucial for accessing export opportunities. 75% of consumers now use social media for shopping, and 61% have made purchases directly from their newsfeeds. With social commerce revenue projected to exceed $3.4 trillion by 2028, and live shopping expected to contribute 10-20% of global e-commerce growth by 2026, the rise of social commerce presents a significant growth avenue for SMEs.

Speaking on behalf of KEPSA, Levi Injendi, the KEPSA SME Trade and Investment Officer shared on the importance of SMEs doing their own market research leveraging on available online resources like the ITC export potential map and Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing countries (CBI) to get more information on the requirements for different product value chain. He further shared more on KEPSA’s efforts to harmonize scattered information on exports through development of an export toolkit.

He added on other KEPSA initiatives to support MSME’s through programs like the MSME Financing Gateway that provides a smart, free-to-use internet platform that allows businesses to filter and select financing options and business services that best match their requirements. To register for the platform to take full advantage of these resources: SME Financing Gateway Registration.

The session was concluded by DHL Managing Director, Mr. Paul Makolosi, who articulated the deeper purpose behind DHL’s collaboration with KEPSA. He shared that DHL’s mission of "Connecting people, improving lives" is fundamentally about being trade facilitators who contribute to economic growth. Partnering with KEPSA, an organization dedicated to building capacity among SMEs, aligns perfectly with this mission.

He emphasized the importance of trade for peace and prosperity, stating, “If goods and services don’t cross borders, soldiers will.” He also highlighted the significance of the training in improving lives, especially in the context of the digital economy. In the Western world, 65% of consumer spending occurs online. He stressed that SMEs must embrace the online marketplace to avoid missing out on significant opportunities.

The workshop provided a comprehensive and cohesive learning experience for SMEs looking to expand their reach in global markets. Through the collective insights of DHL and KEPSA, participants left better equipped to navigate the complexities of international trade, leverage the power of social media, and access the necessary financial tools to fuel their growth.

To access photos of the workshop, CLICK HERE