Amid ongoing challenges in global trade and persistent barriers facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies, access to affordable trade finance has become increasingly vital. With the global trade finance gap estimated at $2.5 trillion, businesses in emerging markets often struggle to secure capital due to limited credit histories, lack of collateral, or perceived high-risk profiles.

Against this backdrop, DP World Trade Finance has reached a notable milestone, mobilizing over $1 billion in working capital to support businesses across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

This was achieved through DP World’s lending operations and collaborations with more than 32 financial institutions globally, including J.P. Morgan, Standard Bank, and NedBank. By combining access to financing with its logistics network, DP World aims to reduce risk and improve capital access for underserved businesses, helping to ease entry into global trade.

The company’s model integrates trade finance with supply chain operations, allowing businesses to secure funding while maintaining real-time visibility across their logistics. This integration provides a more informed and timely basis for financial institutions to make lending decisions. DP World reports that its loan book continues to perform well, surpassing industry benchmarks—a reflection, it says, of the strength of its data-driven approach.

“The growth of our trade finance business underscores the UAE’s role as a catalyst for global trade,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. “By making capital more accessible, particularly in high-potential markets, we are shaping a trade system that is more inclusive and resilient.”

Sinan Ozcan, Senior Executive Officer of DP World Trade Finance, added, “Reaching this US$1 billion milestone reflects our commitment… We’ve created a network that connects businesses with capital, streamlines the financing process, and enables trade to flow more consistently on a global scale.”