BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called on Eswatini businesses to scale up production and take full advantage of lucrative regional and international markets, saying the opportunities created through the Eswatini International Trade Fair must translate into stronger enterprises, investment and economic growth.
As the curtain came down on the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026 on Sunday, September 6, the Prime Minister challenged local enterprises to think beyond the domestic market and position their products for wider African and international trade.
His message was delivered on his behalf by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla during the Stand Excellence Awards and official closing ceremony held at the UNDP Sustainability Centre at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
The Prime Minister hailed local and international exhibitors for their contribution to the success of EITF 2026, describing businesses as important players in the Kingdom’s economic growth.
He said the growing participation of businesses from Eswatini and other countries demonstrated the Trade Fair’s increasing importance as a platform where enterprises can showcase their products, establish partnerships, identify markets and explore investment opportunities.
This year’s Trade Fair attracted exhibitors from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa alongside hundreds of local exhibitors.
“It is inspiring to note the increase in foreign participation, with exhibitors joining us from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa,” the Prime Minister said.
The international presence provided local companies and entrepreneurs with an important opportunity to interact with businesses from beyond Eswatini’s borders, opening possibilities for partnerships, exchange of ideas and access to larger markets.
For local businesses, the Prime Minister’s message was clear: exhibiting products should be the beginning of a bigger journey towards increased production, stronger market penetration and sustainable business growth.
SCALE UP AND LOOK BEYOND LOCAL MARKET
The Prime Minister urged businesses to take advantage of trade arrangements available to Eswatini and use them to expand their customer base beyond the Kingdom.
“I urge our businesses to scale up production and leverage lucrative trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as trade pathways into the UK and European Union markets,” he said.
The call places greater emphasis on the ability of local businesses to produce goods in sufficient quantities and at competitive standards to meet the demands of larger export markets.
For entrepreneurs and small businesses that participated in EITF 2026, access to bigger markets could mean increased sales, expansion of operations and opportunities to create more jobs.
The African Continental Free Trade Area, in particular, provides an important platform through which African businesses can pursue opportunities across the continent.
The Prime Minister encouraged Eswatini companies to position themselves to benefit from such opportunities instead of depending solely on the relatively small domestic market.
EITF MUST PRODUCE LASTING ECONOMIC BENEFITS
While EITF provides businesses with an opportunity to display products and services, the Prime Minister indicated that its wider economic value should be measured by what happens after the exhibition stands have been dismantled.
Contacts made during the Trade Fair should develop into business relationships, discussions should lead to investment opportunities and locally produced goods should find their way into new markets.
This would ensure that the annual event leaves a lasting economic impact beyond the days during which thousands of visitors pass through the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
The Prime Minister’s message also underlined the importance of businesses continuing to innovate and improve the quality and competitiveness of their products.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES BROUGHT CLOSER TO PEOPLE
Government ministries and parastatals also participated in large numbers during this year’s Trade Fair.
The Prime Minister said their participation was important because it supported Government’s efforts to decentralise services and make information more easily accessible to the public.
“Government ministries and parastatals participated in large numbers, fulfilling our goal to decentralise public services and bring Government closer to the people,” he said.
For many visitors, EITF therefore provided more than a business and entertainment experience. It also offered an opportunity to engage directly with Government departments and public institutions under one roof.
MAVUSO TO BECOME YEAR-ROUND COMMERCIAL HUB
Looking beyond EITF 2026, the Prime Minister announced Government’s full support for His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision of transforming the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre into a permanent, year-round hub for trade, commerce and innovation.
The vision could significantly expand Mavuso’s economic role by ensuring that commercial activity at the centre is not concentrated only around the annual Trade Fair.
“I unequivocally declare Government’s full support for this vision,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, working together with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), would receive the necessary backing to advance the development.
“We will ensure Mavuso becomes a modernised engine for commercial growth,” he said.
A year-round commercial hub could provide local businesses with a permanent platform to showcase products, hold business exhibitions, meet potential investors and establish new partnerships.
GREEN ECONOMY CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The Prime Minister also praised EIPA for its work in promoting digital economic solutions and advancing Eswatini’s transition towards a green economy.
He said the Kingdom was already demonstrating how sustainable production and environmental responsibility could create new economic opportunities.
Among examples highlighted were the processing of scrap metal into finished products at the upcoming Sidvokodvo Foundry, the Vutsela biogas initiative and upcycling businesses being led by local women entrepreneurs.
“From processing scrap metal into finished goods at the upcoming Sidvokodvo Foundry, to biogas energy projects like Vutsela, and upcycling ventures led by local women entrepreneurs, Eswatini is demonstrating real progress in value addition and sustainable production,” he said.
The initiatives demonstrate how materials that might otherwise be discarded can be transformed into products with economic value while supporting environmental sustainability.
The Prime Minister said Government remained committed to climate action and green economic growth, areas increasingly becoming important to investment and business competitiveness.
EITF 2027 PREPARATIONS TO BEGIN EARLY
Even before the excitement surrounding EITF 2026 had fully settled, the Prime Minister turned attention towards next year’s event.
He called for more local enterprises to participate in EITF 2027 and directed EIPA and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade to begin preparations immediately.
“Looking ahead, I urge more local enterprises to participate in EITF 2027,” he said.
“To ensure next year’s Trade Fair breaks all previous records, I direct EIPA and the Ministry to commence early preparations immediately.”
The call for early preparations signals Government’s intention to continue strengthening the Trade Fair as one of the country’s major platforms for business exposure, investment promotion and economic development.
CITY OF MBABANE NAMED BEST OVERALL EXHIBITOR
The closing ceremony also recognised exhibitors that distinguished themselves through the quality and creativity of their stands.
A total of 15 outstanding stands received recognition during the Stand Excellence Awards.
The Municipal Council of Mbabane emerged as the Best Overall Exhibitor, earning the top honour for its interactive presentation, innovative urban development initiatives and strong visitor engagement.
The municipality stood out among more than 200 exhibitors that participated in this year’s Trade Fair.
The Prime Minister congratulated the award winners and thanked exhibitors, partners and stakeholders for contributing towards the success of EITF 2026.
“I congratulate all Stand Excellence Award winners and thank every partner,” he said before officially declaring the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair closed.
As businesses packed away their exhibition materials and visitors departed Mavuso, the Prime Minister left entrepreneurs with a challenge that extends far beyond the Trade Fair grounds.
The real success of EITF 2026 will be seen when local businesses increase production, enter new markets, attract investment and turn the connections made during the exhibition into sustainable commercial opportunities.
For Eswatini, that would mean a Trade Fair whose impact continues long after its gates have closed, through growing businesses, increased investment, expanded markets and new economic opportunities for emaSwati.
