LocationsBuy Local, Build Eswatini
October 29, 2025
Made in Eswatini partners pose at Made in Eswatini event.
In the heart of Mbabane, a transformative movement is taking root — one that unites private sector champions, entrepreneurs, creatives, media, development partners, and policymakers under a shared vision: to unlock Eswatini’s economic potential through the “Made in Eswatini” initiative, championed by A Peculiar People.
This bold, multi-stakeholder effort is not just about promoting local products; it is about building an inclusive, sustainable economy where every entrepreneur, regardless of background, can thrive.
On 29 October, key stakeholders under the “Made in Eswatini” banner gathered at the UN House in Mbabane, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to discuss collaboration, innovation, and the agility needed for Eswatini’s enterprises to compete locally, regionally, and globally. The event was graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Sakhizwe, who remarked:
“Let this be a turning point where we define not only what qualifies a product or a service to bear the Made in Eswatini mark, but also what it means to uphold that mark with integrity, innovation, and pride. Because this is our story – and our story is one of potential ready to be unlocked.”
The event brought together stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to promote local entrepreneurs.
The Peculiar People Initiative
At its core, the Peculiar People Initiative is a call to action for Eswatini to harness its greatest strength – not in what it imports, but in what it creates. Over the next three years, the movement aims to cultivate the Made in Eswatini brand into a globally trusted mark of quality, innovation, and authenticity.
Its mission is to position locally made products and services at the centre of consumer choice and policy priorities, driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
The initiative is built on five strategic pillars:
1. Growing market knowledge
2. Expanding market access
3. Increasing entrepreneurial capacity
4. Building consumer confidence
5. Championing sustainability
Through research, digital innovation, targeted training, and authentic storytelling, the movement seeks to inspire a culture of self-reliance – transforming consumers into advocates and producers into job creators.
A Peculiar People executive chairperson, Mr. Melusi Zox Dlamini noted: "We are here to strengthen our relations, to listen, to collaborate, and to learn from one another as we prepare for the next chapter — one that will ensure that every entrepreneur behind a local product or service, no matter how small, has a chance."
Championing Inclusive Growth
UNDP stands as a pivotal partner in this journey. Recognising Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the backbone of job creation and economic resilience, UNDP has embedded MSME development at the heart of its Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Portfolio.
As Mr. Henrik Franklin, UNDP Resident Representative, stated: “UNDP is pleased to partner with this movement in its endeavour to accelerate MSME development, unlock market access, and ensure inclusive growth... Made in Eswatini is more than a label – it is a promise that prosperity, resilience, and innovation can be built here at home.”
UNDP’s interventions are tangible and far-reaching — from the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), which equips young people with artisanal skills and employability opportunities, to the upcoming MSME Digital Registry and INGELO local certification scheme, which simplify standards and open new markets for local businesses. Together, these efforts are creating jobs, empowering women-led enterprises, and strengthening the foundation for a resilient, inclusive economy.
A representative from the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries - Eswatini expresses his views at the event.
A City as a Platform for Empowerment
The Municipal Council of Mbabane has positioned the city as the home of the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair and Consumer Choice Awards for the next three years. These flagship events are more than celebrations – they are platforms for empowerment, collaboration, and economic transformation.
As Ms. Gciniwe Fakudze, CEO of the Council, affirmed: “Mbabane stands as the heartbeat of Eswatini’s governance and economic activity – a city that connects ideas to opportunity, policy to people, and vision to value. The municipality has prioritised MSME development, particularly women and youth, because we believe that a thriving local economy must be inclusive and future focused.”
The Council’s commitment is evident through its support for market intelligence platforms, loyalty programmes, e-commerce initiatives, leadership development, and sustainability projects – all designed to empower entrepreneurs and build a city that chooses, supports, and celebrates local enterprise.
Policy and Partnership
The Government of Eswatini has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to MSME development. Through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (MCIT), MSMEs remain central to Eswatini’s economic transformation agenda.
As Mr. Mluleki Dlamini, Director of MSMEs, emphasised: “Our commitment to the growth of MSMEs is firm and unwavering... Our aim is to build a stronger, more inclusive economy powered by the creativity and determination of local entrepreneurs.”
The Ministry is driving policies that expand access to finance and markets, strengthen competitiveness, and promote value addition. Its upcoming National MSME Conference – scheduled for 10-12 November – will accelerate empowerment by bringing together government, private sector, and development partners to turn policy into real opportunities.