General News
DHL Sees Opportunities in Complex African Market
With the growth of the e-commerce industry and the increasing ease of conducting business electronically globally, it isn’t surprising that more businesses are choosing to trade across borders to take advantage of the revenue-generating potential that export and import of goods offers.
While there are numerous exciting business opportunities – as international markets continue to express interest in local African products / services and vice versa – international trade remains a complex process, which if not managed correctly, can create unfavourable situations for businesses and their partners, particularly small to medium enterprises trying to take advantage of the global market.
This is according to Oliver Facey, vice-president, Operations at DHL Express Sub–Saharan Africa, who said that it is important for businesses to be aware of the diverse trade regulations, and implications of these, when moving shipments across the various borders in Africa and abroad.
Facey pointed to the latest World Bank Doing Business 2013 report which revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa boasts the largest improvement in the rankings from last year, as business regulatory practices in various countries converge and they narrow the gap with their European counterparts.
However, the region is still the worst-performing, highlighting the challenges that local businesses face in terms of understanding document requirements and customs procedures.
As a result, businesses need to have an understanding of customs requirements applicable to their product’s origin and destination, in order to minimise any delay and extra costs at border clearance which could adversely affect their profits and expected transportation service levels.
Facey offered a few pointers to local businesses to assist with a smooth shipment process.
“First and foremost, customs usually require the importer or exporter to register as an importer/exporter before transacting internationally. Following this, businesses need to ensure they have the correct paperwork.”
“Typical documents that are required includes certificates stating the proof of the products origin as some goods could attract preferred rates of duty depending on their country of origin. There are also goods that require inspection and release by other government agencies, such as The Health Department, so it is imperative to enquire whether the goods being shipped from specific countries require additional permits.”
Invoices also need to be provided and these need to be in a specific format and include the purpose for the product (commercial or non-commercial) and the proof of their values.
“Customs reserves the right to stop, detain and physically inspect any shipment entering or exiting the country. During this phase, they subject the clearance of the product to various checks, such as valuation, to determine whether the value paid to the supplier is infact the value declared for Customs purposes. There are legal, financial and service implications if these details do not correspond,” said Facey.
Commodities are coded by means of a tariff number and as a result, a Harmonised Tariff code will be assigned to the product, which is a code that determines the rate of duty payable on that specific commodity.
“Another aspect to consider is whether there are any special requirements for the specific country the product is being shipped to, such as temporary imports / exports and restrictions”, said Facey.
“There are prohibited and restricted goods that can only be shipped in and out of the country under a permit or license, such as plant products which require a phytosanitary certificate or medicine and scheduled substances which usually need a medical control council certificate.”
Facey said that to further guarantee a smooth shipment process, for both the business and customer, it is vital for companies to ensure traceability and transparency in the transportation process.
“Not only will this help keep the customer informed, but it will also assist the company prevent delays should there by a stoppage in the process. With the knowledge of a particular stoppage, a business can then help resolve the issue quickly and efficiently, as in some instances, the delay is likely solved by supplying extra data or forms.”
The speed of delivery needed for the shipment also needs to be considered when assessing the company’s transportation needs.
“Businesses must match the transport need to the needs of the customer, which can be categorized into the size, urgency, cost, speed and complexity of the shipment,” said Facey.
Due to the complexities of the procedures and processes, it is advisable to seek assistance from appropriate service providers that can support and advise according to a business’ individual needs.
“This enables good local knowledge and the assistance with the clearance process and procedures. They will also ensure that all requirements are met and understood before shipping, as well as manage expectations and navigate customers through some time very difficult procedures.”
“By fully understanding the processes and terminology involved with entering the different markets, African businesses can build a long-term foundation for even more successful international trade,” concluded Facey.
Ghana took center stage as the host of QNET’s highly anticipated V-Africa 2025, a regional edition of the company’s flagship convention.
From February 20 to 23, 2025, the Accra International Conference Centre welcomed over 4000 participants from across the Sub-Saharan Africa region to experience four days of empowerment, networking, and innovation.
The convention spotlighted QNET’s exclusive product offerings, which provide immersive entrepreneurship training and contribute significantly to Ghana’s tourism and economic growth. V-Africa 2025 showcased Ghana as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence.
Trevor Kuna, Chief Marketing Officer for QNET, expressed his enthusiasm: “Hosting V-Africa 2025 in Ghana is a testament to our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in Africa.
This event isn’t just about showcasing our brand—it’s about empowering individuals to achieve their dreams while contributing meaningfully to local economies. We look forward to welcoming media representatives to witness QNET’s transformative impact firsthand.”
Empowering Entrepreneurs, Celebrating Culture
The itinerary for V-Africa 2025 included product workshops, dynamic training sessions on business building and entrepreneurship, and an exhibition featuring QNET’s signature product brands, such as HomePure range of home care products, Amezcua’s wellness range, Swiss watch brand Bernhard H. Mayer’s new Collection, and more.
Attendees gained invaluable insights into QNET’s ethos of wellness, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, setting the stage for lasting business growth.
Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional General Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, elaborated on the event’s local significance: “V-Africa 2025 will leave a lasting legacy by empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs and supporting Ghana’s tourism industry.
“This is more than a business convention—it’s a platform for connection, growth, and transformation.”
Driving Tourism and Economic Growth
As one of the largest events of its kind in Ghana, V-Africa 2025 attracted participants from 25 countries, providing a boost to the local hospitality, transportation, and tourism sectors.
QNET’s commitment to Ghana includes partnering with local stakeholders to ensure the event delivers long-term benefits to the community.
FlashChange, a forward-thinking financial service company that is redefining how digital assets are traded and managed has recently participated at the Lagos Tech Fest, a two-day event that brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and tech enthusiasts to discuss the future of technology in Africa.
The CEO of FlashChange, Bidemi Oke made a strong argument for more transparent regulations in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry at the event, where he stressed the necessity of structured legislation to promote innovation, safeguard investors, and propel economic progress.
Speaking during a panel discussion alongside other panelists on Crypto in Nigeria: Fintech Integration, Real-World Applications and Opportunities, Oke emphasised the difficulties companies encounter because of legislative ambiguity. He urged legislators to work with industry players to create rules that promote responsible expansion while guarding against abuse.
“The potential for blockchain and cryptocurrencies to transform finance and promote financial inclusion throughout Africa is enormous. However, companies and investors continue to have doubts about the industry’s future in the absence of clear regulations. We must develop a framework that strikes a balance between innovation and consumer protection,” Oke remarked.
As one of Nigeria’s top cryptocurrency exchange platforms, FlashChange, has been leading the charge to encourage secure and effective digital asset transactions. While maintaining adherence to international standards, the business keeps pushing for laws that encourage the expansion of the sector.
The Lagos Tech Fest provided a forum for thought-provoking conversations about how technology, finance, and regulation interact in Nigeria. Many industry participants who agreed that a methodical and forward-thinking approach to blockchain governance was necessary found resonance in Oke’s support for regulatory clarification.
Visa has announced the launch of its new Tap to Add Card feature in Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, marking a significant advancement in digital wallet provisioning.
This innovative technology allows cardholders to add their Visa contactless cards to digital wallets with a simple tap on their mobile device, addressing the growing need for secure and streamlined digital payment solutions.
Tap to Add Card enhances security and convenience by eliminating the manual entry process, which is prone to errors and vulnerable to fraud.
The tap generates a unique, one-time code validated by Visa’s Chip Authenticate service, ensuring secure provisioning of card credentials and offering a significantly faster and more secure alternative to traditional methods.
“We are excited to bring the enhanced security and simplicity of Tap to Add Card to West Africa,” said Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Head, Visa West Africa. “The solution provides cardholders with greater peace of mind when adding a card to a digital wallet, knowing their information is protected by advanced security measures.
“We believe that Tap to Add Card will be instrumental in driving further adoption of digital wallets in West Africa by addressing key security concerns and simplifying the user experience.”
Global Momentum and Regional Impact
The Tap to Add Card feature has quickly gained traction worldwide since its introduction last September by Visa, as part of its suite of new services aimed at enhancing digital payment experiences.
Benefits for the Ecosystem
Tap to Add Card is designed to benefit all stakeholders in the payments ecosystem. Cardholders can enjoy a faster, more convenient, and more secure way to add cards to their digital wallets, encouraging greater adoption of digital payments. For issuers, Tap to Add Card can help reduce the risk and associated costs of provisioning fraud, simplify the add-to-wallet process, leading to fewer customer service inquiries, and improve transaction approval rates.
Similarly, for digital wallets, Tap to Add Card follows Visa security standards, reducing the risk of card compromise and promising a potentially higher token provisioning rate due to fewer card entry errors, while also presenting the opportunity to introduce new customer experiences.
The technology is supported by digital wallets globally, ensuring seamless integration with existing digital wallet experiences.
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