BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE– In a bid to boost Eswatini’s economy, create employment opportunities and attract both local and foreign investment, the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) is aiming to build on the E37 billion investment announcements recorded during last year’s 2025 Eswatini Investment Conference by securing even greater investment inflows through this year’s edition.
The 2026 Eswatini Investment Conference will be held from July 29 to 31 at the Mavuso Trade Centre under the theme “Connecting Capital with Opportunity.” The event is expected to bring together government leaders, investors, development partners and business executives from across Africa and beyond to explore investment-ready projects and strengthen Eswatini’s position as an emerging investment destination.
Speaking during an interview on the Kusile Breakfast Show on Eswatini TV, Martin Masilela, Executive Head for Investment Promotion at the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), said the conference forms part of government’s broader strategy to attract both domestic and foreign direct investment, in line with the Programme of Action and the national drive to secure mega-investments capable of transforming the economy.
He said the conference is designed to move beyond dialogue and focus on practical investment implementation by connecting investors with viable, ready-to-execute projects.
“The purpose of the conference is to harness investments from both Eswatini and across the world as part of our strategic objective. Last year we hosted the inaugural conference, and this year we are looking at ramping it up into an even bigger investment conference. We are definitely looking at attracting investments into Eswatini,” Masilela said.
He explained that while the 2025 conference focused on accelerating investment for sustainable economic growth, the 2026 edition shifts emphasis toward implementation and delivery of concrete projects.
According to Masilela, the current global economic environment demands a more practical approach that ensures capital is directly linked to investment-ready opportunities.
“We want to be a bit more practical than just having a talk show. We have prepared a number of projects which we believe will attract capital into Eswatini. The idea is to intentionally connect capital with opportunities that are ready for investment,” he said.
As part of strengthening the country’s investment climate, Masilela announced that EIPA will officially unveil Eswatini’s new Investment Policy during the 2026 conference.
He said the policy introduces key reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, enhancing investor confidence and positioning Eswatini more competitively in the regional and global investment landscape.
Among the reforms are investment-linked residence provisions, while supporting legislation is currently being developed to modernise the country’s investment framework.
Masilela noted that these reforms build on progress already achieved since the inaugural conference, including the establishment of EIPA’s One-Stop Investment Centre, which streamlines government services and simplifies investment procedures.
“This year we are unveiling a new investment policy that includes several reforms and will be backed by legislation currently being prepared. The objective is to make it easier for businesses to operate and for foreign investors to invest in Eswatini,” he said.
He acknowledged that Eswatini competes in a highly competitive regional investment environment alongside countries such as Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
However, Masilela said the Kingdom continues to stand out due to its political stability, supportive government policies, attractive tax incentives for priority sectors and a workforce known for its adaptability and strong work ethic.
“We pride ourselves on our workforce, government support and the incentives available for priority sectors. We are also recognised as a politically stable country, and these advantages make Eswatini a competitive investment destination within the region,” he said.
Reflecting on the outcomes of the 2025 Investment Conference, Masilela said EIPA has been closely monitoring the implementation of projects announced last year.
He highlighted several major projects already underway, including Ubombo Sugar Limited’s E2.4 billion expansion, renewable energy developments, Kellogg’s expansion into Eswatini, and the African Alliance commercial development.
He said more than 50 per cent of the announced projects are already showing progress on the ground, while others remain at feasibility and design stages.
Looking ahead, he said the 2026 conference will prioritise industrial infrastructure and energy as key drivers of long-term economic transformation, including plans to expand industrial parks across all regions and strengthen domestic energy generation.
The 2026 Eswatini Investment Conference is expected to serve as a major platform for showcasing investment opportunities, strengthening partnerships and advancing Eswatini’s agenda of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.
(Courtesy Pic)
