BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In what may be welcomed news for the nation’s workers and businesses, Eswatini has been granted eligibility to trade under the African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) for 2025.
The Eswatini Government learned of this development on March 5, 2025, through a letter addressed to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade from the Embassy of the United States of America in Eswatini. In a statement issued on March 7, 2025, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo expressed gratitude to the Government of the USA for this positive development.
The minister also thanked the USA Embassy in Eswatini for their support of the AGOA Working Group, which he noted was crucial in ensuring the country’s eligibility and continued access to the AGOA market. Khumalo highlighted that Eswatini has benefited significantly from AGOA over the years.
He described the recent announcement as one that provides certainty to companies already exporting products to the USA. This eligibility means that these companies can continue processing their orders in the near future without disruptions.
According to the minister, this development will not only facilitate the export of products to the US but will also attract foreign direct investments into Eswatini, as investors will have guaranteed markets for their products.These benefits have the potential to increase productivity, add value to products produced by traders, create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty, and improve the country’s economy.
This announcement comes at a particularly opportune time as Eswatini implements the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) alongside the Government’s Programme of Action. Khumalo indicated that AGOA is expected to complement the AfCFTA and the continent’s industrialisation efforts.
He stated that AGOA has played a vital role in promoting trade between Eswatini and the USA, significantly contributing to the growth of Eswatini’s exports in sectors such as sugar, textiles and apparel, as well as agricultural products like fruits and nuts. The minister reiterated Eswatini’s commitment to working with the USA to ensure that the country remains eligible to trade under AGOA.
