LocationsPolicy, Digital Innovation Lead Business Talks
November 11, 2025
Policy Deep Dive panel at the Eswatini MSME Conference.
The inaugural Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Conference has spotlighted key policy and digital innovations designed to elevate entrepreneurship in Eswatini. On its second day, discussions centred on how effective policy frameworks and digital integration can propel small businesses to new heights.
Held at the Royal Villas Hotel in Ezulwini from 10–13 November, the three-day event brought together around 250 delegates, including small business owners, policymakers, private sector representatives, financial institutions, and development partners. Under the theme “Unlocking Opportunities for MSMEs in Eswatini,” participants explored solutions to the persistent challenges that hinder entrepreneurs from scaling up, creating jobs, and contributing effectively to the economy.
Sharing ideas at the MSME Conference.
Creating a Conducive Business Environment
Day two of the conference shone a spotlight on two key instruments developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – the MSME Policy and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act – both crafted in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (MCIT). The session examined how these frameworks are helping MSMEs formalise and strengthen their operations.
In a panel discussion moderated by UNDP Business Development Consultant, Mr. Zizwe Paul Vilane, Mr. Mluleki Dlamini, Director of MSME Unit under the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, shared encouraging findings from the Finscope Blended MSME Survey Report for Eswatini 2023, also developed with UNDP support.
“The report notes that the proportion of businesses in the informal sector has decreased from 75% to 45%, which is good progress in terms of bringing smaller businesses into the formal sector,” said Dlamini.
He explained that the MSME Policy aims to:
Formalise and scale up MSMEs, increasing their contribution to GDP from less than 5% to 30%.
Operationalize the Ingelo Certification Scheme (developed with UNDP support in partnership with Eswatini Standards Authority, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, and other partners) to improve MSME access to markets and value chains.
Launch the MSME Registry to build a national database identifying entrepreneurs, their locations, and sectors for targeted support.
Strengthen MSME capacity through training and improved access to finance.
Meanwhile, Ms. Thulisile Dladla-Dlamini, Vice-Chairperson of the Citizen Economic Empowerment Council (CEEC), said the newly passed CEEC Bill will empower the country to prioritise indigenous citizens in key business areas, especially in rural regions.
She highlighted that the Act provides for:
The reservation of certain businesses for indigenous emaSwati.
Prioritise targeted groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Ensure that government procurement orders below E8 million are allocated to businesses owned by indigenous businesspeople.
High-level guests including EU Chargé d’affaires, Mr. José Becerra, UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira, Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Dr Tambo Gina, and Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade, Hon. Manqoba Khumalo. o
High-Level Support and Collaboration
The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), International Trade Centre (ITC), with a sponsorship from the First National Bank (FNB).
Its launch on 10 November was graced by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Russel Mmiso Dlamini, represented by Hon. Dr. Tambo Gina, Minister of Economic Planning and Development; Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade; José Becerra, EU Chargé d’affaires and UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira.
“Eswatini’s economic future is bright because our people are resilient, innovative, and entrepreneurial by nature. From the young digital innovator in the city, to the smallholder agro-processor in rural communities, to the craft maker, manufacturer, logistics operator, and creative entrepreneur, we see every day the ingenuity that drives this nation forward,” said HE Russel Mmiso Dlamini.
“Furthermore, the Central Bank of Eswatini is working with UNDP on a Green Taxonomy, a classification system used in sustainable finance to define and identify economic activities and investments that are environmentally sustainable. This could be an additional tool for encouraging a proactive green turn among MSMEs,” added Mr. George Wachira.
“As the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, we are proud of the progress achieved so far through strategic partnerships, especially our collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC),” said Hon. Manqoba Khumalo.
“As the EU, we believe that with the right support, Eswatini’s MSMEs can become strong drivers of economic transformation, creating decent jobs – especially for youth and women – and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient economy,” concluded José Becerra, EU Chargé d’affaires.