DP World has announced that its trade finance division has surpassed $1 billion in working capital mobilisation, delivering vital financial support to businesses across emerging markets and helping close the global trade finance gap.
This milestone combines DP World’s own lending capabilities with a network of over 32 global financial institutions, including J.P. Morgan, Standard Bank, and Nedbank. Together, these partners have created tailored financing solutions aimed at supporting small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sectors ranging from agriculture to engineering.
The initiative forms part of DP World’s broader mission to build a more inclusive and resilient global trade system, especially in regions where access to capital remains a persistent barrier. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, the global trade finance gap currently stands at an estimated $2.5 trillion, disproportionately affecting businesses in developing economies.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, highlighted the strategic importance of the programme:
“The growth of our trade finance business underscores the UAE’s role as a catalyst for global trade. By making capital more accessible, particularly in high-potential markets, we are shaping a trade system that is more inclusive and resilient.”
A key differentiator for DP World Trade Finance is its ability to integrate funding with logistics, offering businesses real-time supply chain visibility alongside financial products. This combination allows lenders to make faster, data-informed decisions, reducing perceived risk and unlocking capital for businesses often excluded by traditional financial systems.
Sinan Ozcan, Senior Executive Officer of DP World Trade Finance, described the $1 billion achievement as a “milestone in enabling global commerce.”
“Cross-border trade is the engine of global economic growth, but access to affordable finance remains a critical barrier,” Ozcan said. “Through DP World Trade Finance, 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.”
DP World reports that the portfolio of financed projects under its trade finance platform boasts exceptionally healthy loan performance, well above industry benchmarks. This reinforces confidence in its data-driven risk assessment model, which evaluates businesses based on real-time trading activity and logistics history rather than just balance sheet strength.
To date, DP World Trade Finance has supported trade flows in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with funding directed to sectors such as metals, automotive, and food supply chains.
As international demand for diversified supply chains and resilient trade networks grows, DP World’s integrated finance-logistics model is positioning itself as a vital conduit for global economic inclusion, particularly for SMEs navigating complex and often exclusionary financial landscapes.
