BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – FNB Eswatini has injected E437 500 into the 2026 MTN Bushfire Festival, reaffirming its support for the country’s growing creative industry and cultural economy.
The sponsorship was officially handed over at House on Fire on Thursday, as the bank and festival organisers celebrated a partnership that has existed since the early years of the internationally recognised festival.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, FNB Eswatini Executive Head of Commercial Banking Chantell Littler said the bank sees the arts as an important driver of economic growth and opportunity creation.
“As a business, we are proud to extend our longstanding partnership with this proudly Eswatini festival. We firmly believe that the arts are a powerful platform we can harness for the economic upliftment of our people and country at large,” she said.
Littler added that the bank’s continued investment in Bushfire reflects its commitment to contributing towards the country’s sustainable development through industries that empower emaSwati.
The MTN Bushfire Festival, regarded as one of Africa’s leading multicultural festivals, attracts thousands of visitors from different parts of the world each year and has become a major platform for artistic expression, tourism, cultural exchange and entrepreneurship.
MTN Bushfire Marketing Manager Bongani Dlamini welcomed the continued partnership, describing FNB Eswatini as a key stakeholder in enhancing the overall festival experience. “We are very excited to have FNB Eswatini as a partner again this year. They are a longstanding partner and have been with us from the very beginning. They bring a lot of value to the festival, not just as a sponsor, but through activations that elevate the experience of our festival goers,” he said.
Dlamini said the bank’s contribution goes beyond financial support, noting that its services help international visitors access reliable banking facilities during the festival weekend. “The seamless banking services and assistance to our international festival goers means they do not have to worry about access to crucial financial services. From ATMs to card assistance, the bank continues to play an important role in enhancing the weekend,” he added.
As the festival’s official banking partner, FNB Eswatini will provide onsite ATMs, Speedpoint devices and technical support to ensure smooth transactions throughout the event. Dlamini also revealed that this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 themed activation is expected to add excitement to the festival experience.
The latest sponsorship marks a notable increase from the E300 000 contributed by the bank towards the 2025 edition of the festival, highlighting growing confidence in the creative sector and its contribution to the economy.
