EU, ITC Extend Support to Eswatini for EU-SADC EPA Implementation Through 2030

This follows the successful development of a new EU-SADC EPA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030 by government, private sector, development partners, and other stakeholders. This plan will guide Eswatini’s trade integration and export growth within the EPA over the next five years. 

This is part of the “Support to the implementation of the EU- SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)” project supported by the EU and implemented by the ITC in partnership with Eswatini Government. 

The revised implementation strategy and action plan builds on lessons from the 2019–2023 strategy, prioritizing targeted interventions to enable the country to fully utilize the benefits of the EPA. Key focus areas include strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, enhancing business support programmes, improving standards and quality compliance, and investing in market intelligence and export readiness. These measures aim to increase exports to the EU by at least 5% annually from the 2023 baseline, diversify product offerings, and expand Eswatini’s reach to at least 10 new international markets by 2030.

European Union Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg, emphasized the EU’s continued partnership. He said the EU-SADC EPA is not just a trade agreement, but a platform for growth, investment, and sustainable development. 

“This updated strategy offers Eswatini a clear roadmap to increase exports to the EU, diversify products, and ensure that MSMEs benefit fully from regional and global value chains,” said Ambassador Mecklenburg. 

“The European Union, together with the International Trade Centre, will continue to provide the technical and financial support needed to translate this strategy into tangible results,” he added. 

On the other hand, the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Ncebile Nhlabatsi, emphasized that this plan was a call to action. 

“It aligns with our policies, it will help strengthen institutions, and build the capacity of our private sector so that Eswatini can fully utilize the opportunities of the EPA. With a focus on MSMEs, standards compliance, and export readiness, we are confident this plan will contribute to job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth,” said Nhlabatsi. 

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, through its International Trade Department, will coordinate implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the strategy in partnership with line Ministries, Government agencies, the private sector, and development partners. With the support of the EU and ITC, Eswatini is now poised to maximize the full potential of the EPA, driving inclusive economic growth and strengthening its position in regional and international markets.

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.