EU, ITC Support Eswatini’s Inaugural MSME Conference

This three-day gathering held on 10 – 12 November 2025 at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini, outside Mbabane, has brought together policymakers, development partners, financiers, business support institutions and entrepreneurs from across the country to chart a clearer path for MSME growth, competitiveness and innovation. 

The conference, jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, SEDCO and UNDP, aims to address long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs while positioning them to take advantage of regional and global trade opportunities.

This support forms part of the “Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances” programme, supported by the EU and implemented by ITC in partnership with the Eswatini Government, which promotes inclusive trade and the growth of the creative industries.   

Speaking on the opening day on 10 November 2025, EU Chargé d’Affaires José Becerra, underscored the importance of MSMEs as engines of job creation and economic resilience.

EU in Eswatini

“MSMEs are the heartbeat of our economies. In the EU, they represent 99% of all businesses and employ around 100 million people. Here in Eswatini, over 60,000 MSMEs employing 93,000 people form a strong foundation the country can build on,” said Becerra.

He highlighted EU support through the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and market intelligence tools available via ITC. 

“With the right support systems, Eswatini’s MSMEs can take full advantage of export opportunities, expand into new markets and drive sustainable, inclusive growth,” he added. 

Delivering the Prime Minister’s remarks, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Tambo Gina, emphasized that the country’s economic potential is rooted in the determination of its people. 

“Eswatini’s economic future is bright because our people are resilient, innovative and entrepreneurial. Our responsibility as Government is to remove barriers and build a system that equips MSMEs with skills, opens markets and rewards ambition,” he said.

He stressed that empowering MSMEs is central to achieving true economic transformation.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, called for practical solutions and a renewed focus on MSME-centered policy.

“MSMEs make up 45% of our economy, and that is not a small number. Yet many still say they do not feel the growth being reported. Our task is to change that,” he said.

He added that the output of the conference would feed directly into the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act and other policy instruments.

“This cannot be a talk shop. We want to walk away with solutions that will strengthen capacity, promote local procurement and ensure MSMEs are paid on time,” he said.

SEDCO CEO, Khethiwe Mhlanga, used her address to advocate for equal access to opportunities across communities.

“We must be intentional about ensuring MSMEs in every community have access to the same services and technologies,” she said.

She highlighted the role of SEDCO’s iHubs, including the one operating in Pigg’s Peak.

“Digital transformation is no longer optional. Our entrepreneurs must adopt technology, embrace digital marketing, and leverage platforms like the Buy Eswatini App if they are to remain competitive,” she added. 

UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira, spoke about the global importance of MSMEs and the need to tackle persistent barriers.

“MSMEs contribute half of global GDP and are central to job creation and innovation. Strengthening them means advancing several SDGs at once,” he said.

He also called for improved access to finance and stronger policy tools.

“We must move beyond describing challenges. We must solve them. Paying MSMEs on time and addressing financing bottlenecks are essential steps forward,” he noted. 

Economic Policy Specialist Dr. Thabo Sacolo of ESEPARC addressed softer but crucial challenges affecting MSME growth.

“We must confront the lack of social capital in our ecosystem. Trust and honouring agreements are essential for long-term business sustainability,” he said.

He also urged the government to commit to structured payment timelines to support small suppliers. 

James Manyatsi from Centre for Financing Inclusion highlighted findings from the FinScope Survey. 

“Only 4% of MSMEs accessed bank credit, largely because many are not fully prepared. At least 80% remain in the survival stage,” he said.

He called for improved financial literacy, stronger policy support and financial products tailored to MSMEs.

Across all discussions, the message was clear: Eswatini’s MSMEs hold enormous potential, but unlocking it requires coordinated action, supportive policies and sustained investment. 

The EU and ITC reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside national partners to ensure MSMEs are empowered to export, innovate and grow sustainably.

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.