BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE– Eswatini has officially launched its inaugural Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Conference, establishing a new annual national platform designed to accelerate the country’s economic transformation.
Staged at the Royal Villas Hotel, the three day event, running from November 10th to 12th, 2025, will directly tackles His Majesty King Mswati III’s national Nkwe mandate to boost economic growth to 12% by 2029.
The conference will convene approximately 250 delegates from local and regional MSMEs, the private sector, government, and international development organizations. This diverse gathering is engineered to empower entrepreneurs and forge essential collaborations necessary for the nation’s economic success.
International Partners Back Growth Agenda
The initiative is built on strong international support, underscoring its global significance. The European Union, through the International Trade Centre (ITC), has committed to supporting local MSMEs to become more competitive on the global stage. Simultaneously, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided unwavering assistance, focusing on areas like the review of the National MSME Policy and establishing local certification and standards schemes to enhance product competitiveness.
The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO), under the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade (MoCIT), is the main host, tasked with strengthening the entire MSME ecosystem.
Equipping Entrepreneurs for the Future
The conference’s objectives are sharply focused on practical growth, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with tangible solutions. Throughout the three days, delegates will engage in knowledge sharing, trade-show exhibitions, and networking sessions. The agenda is designed to address key barriers facing small businesses, including funding gaps, market access, technology adoption, innovation, and digital transformation.
MSMEs are recognized as being central to job creation, women and youth empowerment, and the diversification of the national economy. The launch speaker expressed confidence that the platform will attract more local private sector partners and called for immediate support financial or in kind from all government departments and local organizations.
The core principle remains that collaboration between government, financiers, and development partners is key to unlocking MSME potential and building a thriving national economy.
