BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI- More than 350 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners across Eswatini have been empowered with business knowledge, financial insights and growth opportunities through the inaugural FNB SME Growth Forums, which concluded successfully in the Shiselweni Region.
The nationwide initiative came to an end on Monday at Phumula Guest House in Shiselweni, where more than 90 entrepreneurs gathered for the final engagement of a series that created a platform for SMEs to share experiences, discuss challenges and connect with organisations committed to supporting business growth.
The FNB SME Growth Forums were hosted as part of the bank’s partnership with the Small Enterprises Development Corporation (SEDCO) for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The engagements sought to strengthen the relationship between SMEs, financial institutions and business development partners while addressing the practical realities faced by entrepreneurs.
Rather than focusing only on presentations, the Forums encouraged open discussions where business owners could speak about their experiences, access expert advice and gain a better understanding of opportunities available to grow their enterprises.
FNB Eswatini SME Lead Nombuso Mndzebele said the Forums were created to ensure entrepreneurs’ voices were heard and their everyday challenges understood.
“The SME Growth Forums were not about delivering presentations. They were aimed at listening to entrepreneurs, understanding the challenges they face daily and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement. We wanted business owners to leave each Forum feeling informed, better connected and more confident about the opportunities available to them to expand their operations,” she said.
Throughout the nationwide engagements, entrepreneurs highlighted the determination and resilience required to operate businesses in a rapidly changing economic environment. Many business owners welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with institutions such as SEDCO and the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS), saying access to technical experts helped simplify processes and improve their understanding of available support systems.
During the Shiselweni Forum, entrepreneur Phumaphi Dlamini from Ezindwendweni shared how FNB’s support had contributed to her farming ambitions.
Dlamini expressed appreciation for the bank’s customer-focused approach, saying the assistance she received enabled her to connect water to her home and begin developing her farming project.
“The staff is always willing to listen and give you support. The bank assisted with finance to get water connected to my home so I could start working on my farming project,” she said.
Businesswoman Betty Mkhonta also praised FNB’s automated Scored Lending Facility, highlighting that the solution provides access to finance without requiring traditional collateral.
She said the facility demonstrated that the bank understood the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and was committed to helping clients expand their businesses.
The keynote speaker, Samkelo Dube, Director of Dubakazana Investments, shared his business journey and highlighted the role of financial support in expanding his forestry operations.
Dube said FNB financing enabled his company to acquire a truck and vehicle that improved business efficiency, while also noting that businesses operating in industries with high operational costs may require larger funding solutions.
“I have been able to purchase a truck and car for the business, and I am very grateful for that. However, I would like to highlight that the nature of my business has high costs and the E1.5 million loan limit offered through the Scored Lending Facility may not be enough for businesses like ours,” he said.
Responding to the concern, FNB representatives clarified that the E1.5 million threshold applies specifically to the automated Scored Lending Facility. They explained that businesses meeting the bank’s lending requirements remain eligible to access financing beyond that limit.
Meanwhile, FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local businesses through procurement opportunities and enterprise development.
Represented by Mndzebele, Dlamini said FNB’s SME support strategy is guided by its Shared Prosperity pillar, which focuses on ensuring that economic growth benefits communities across Eswatini.
“Through our Shared Prosperity agenda, we are committed to leveraging our assets to invest meaningfully into different sectors of Eswatini, ensuring that, as we grow, the communities around us also grow,” he said.
He also highlighted the bank’s ‘Buy Swati’ initiative, which prioritises local suppliers and creates opportunities for SMEs to participate in procurement activities.
SEDCO Senior Manager for Business Incubation Skhumbuzo Mbuyisa said the Forums demonstrated the strong desire among entrepreneurs to learn, innovate and build sustainable businesses.
“Across every region, we saw business owners who are eager to improve, embrace new ideas and build sustainable enterprises. Continued collaboration between support institutions, financial partners and entrepreneurs will be essential in unlocking the full potential of the SME sector,” he said.
ERS Manager for Taxpayer Education and Information Cebolenkhosi Mahlalela encouraged entrepreneurs to prioritise compliance, noting that informed and compliant businesses are better positioned for long-term growth.
She said ERS continues to support SMEs through taxpayer education programmes, digital platforms, service centre kiosks and guidance materials.
The successful conclusion of the FNB SME Growth Forums marks a major milestone in strengthening Eswatini’s SME ecosystem, ensuring entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge, partnerships and financial support required to build stronger businesses and contribute towards national economic growth.
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(Courtesy Pic)
