EU, Italy Mentorship Accelerates Growth for Eswatini Ice Cream Maker - Scoops N Giggles

The mentorship, hosted by the award-winning Gelateria De’ Coltelli, was made possible through support from the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC). This support was under the 'Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances' programme, supported by the EU and implemented by the ITC in partnership with the Government of Eswatini.  

The intensive training exposed Mabaso to world-class gelato production techniques, professional systems, and commercial operations, knowledge she describes as transformative for her Eswatini-based enterprise. 

ITC

“I am delighted to bring home a wealth of knowledge and new skills from Pisa,” said Mabaso. “I really wished to learn how to make ice cream from a professional point of view. Being able to train under some of the best people in the world is something I never imagined possible.” 

A key outcome of the mentorship was her introduction to structured, commercial-grade production, an area Mabaso now sees essential for scaling her business. 

“They made ice cream from a written-down recipe; anyone can take it and produce the same product,” Mabaso said. “My key takeaway was to work on systems to be faster and efficient. I need to have processes in place,” she added.

This insight has become even more relevant as demand for Scoops N Giggles continues to grow. Following her participation in the 2025 MTN Bushfire Festival, where her business recorded its highest revenue in three days, Mabaso experienced firsthand the need for establishing standardized systems. “I fell sick after the festival, and no one was able to make ice cream. This goes back to setting up systems or processes for my business,” she explained. 

Armed with knowledge, Mabaso is now advancing plans to transition her home-based setup into a certified cottage factory. Her production space has already been assessed by the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA), and she has passed the initial stage of the certification process under the Ingelo Certification Scheme. 

“It is feasible to commercialize. I already have my plan in motion. I just need financial assistance,” she said. “We want to supply supermarkets and hotels, but we need the backing from the standards so that our customers can trust us.”

Mabaso said the mentorship also highlighted the importance of investing in machinery to improve speed and volume. “They made ice cream faster than me because I still have to do everything manually,” she noted. 

Since beginning her journey with the EU, ITC and House on Fire Future Icons Programme, Scoops N Giggles has demonstrated significant growth. The brand has performed strongly at major events, including the MTN Bushfire Festival and the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF). “Last year, we sold out every day for 10 days at the trade fair,” said Mabaso. “This year started slow, but as soon as people saw where we were, we started making good sales.” 

Mabaso expressed deep gratitude to the EU and ITC for facilitating the mentorship. “I have never thought that one day I would be able to learn from the best in the field,” she said. “They have a wall of awards. I learned from the best in the business and the best people in the world. I am deeply grateful. I hope others can get the same opportunity.”

EU Head of Cooperation, Eva-Maria Engdahl said the EU is proud to support entrepreneurs like Mabaso who are taking bold steps to strengthen Eswatini’s competitiveness. “Access to international expertise does not only elevate product quality and business systems, but also opens new pathways for SMEs to grow sustainably and reach broader markets. Zandile’s journey demonstrates the transformative impact that skills development and innovation can have on local enterprises.” said Engdahl.

About the European Union Delegation to Eswatini

The EU Delegation to Eswatini is responsible for managing diplomatic relations between the EU and the Kingdom of Eswatini. These relations cover political relations, development cooperation, economic and trade relations as well as other areas of mutual interest between the two partners. The central objective of this partnership is to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty through sustainable development, the progressive integration of Eswatini into the world economy, and the promotion of the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. 

About ITC

The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transitioning economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   

About the Programme

The ITC-Alliances for Action programme 'Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances', funded by the EU, supports job creation for small farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. Eswatini offers the global market unique organic produce, artisan roasted coffee, handmade cultural creations, and gourmet condiment lines. 

ITC works closely with smallholder farmers, agro-processors, and artisans in Eswatini to support them in ways that are sustainable and benefit both people and the planet. In this way, ITC fosters and preserves cultural heritage, and draws on artisan skills and concepts of green growth. 

Alliances for Action is an ITC initiative that seeks to transform food systems through producer partnerships that cultivate ethical, climate-smart, sustainable agricultural value chains.