BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
EZULWINI– Small business owners in the Hhohho Region have credited FNB Eswatini with helping them improve their financial management, embrace digital solutions and gain confidence to grow their enterprises.
The entrepreneurs were speaking during the Hhohho edition of the bank’s inaugural SME Growth Forum, held at Sibane Sami Hotel on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
The forum brought together about 50 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners from across the region, providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to engage directly with financial experts and gain practical knowledge to strengthen their businesses.
The initiative is designed to equip SMEs with financial management and operational skills needed to build resilient enterprises, create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth.
For Glitz Investments Director Temhlanga Dlamini, support from FNB Eswatini has helped her change financial habits that were negatively affecting the management of her business.
“I had many habits that were bad for business. I used to keep my daily takings in an envelope and only deposit them at the end of the week. By then I would sometimes be a few hundred Emalangeni short,” Dlamini said.
She said she also struggled with maintaining proper financial records until her relationship manager highlighted that poor record-keeping could affect her ability to access finance in the future.
“I gradually adopted better financial practices, and that changed my business for the better,” she said.
Dlamini’s experience was echoed by other entrepreneurs who said the bank’s support had helped them better understand financial tools available to SMEs.
Zodwa Vilakati, who operates in the handicraft sector, said FNB Eswatini had played an important role in helping small traders modernise their businesses.
She said businesses serving tourists had previously faced payment difficulties because of currency challenges and the growing shift away from cash.
“FNB helped us digitise our businesses, making transactions seamless. We are grateful for the support and guidance we have received over the years and look forward to strengthening our partnership,” Vilakati said.
For L&M Fresh Produce owner Lungile Mkhonta, the forum helped change her perception of banking products and gave her greater confidence to formalise and expand her business.
“As a small business owner, you sometimes feel that banking products are designed for bigger companies. What I have learnt through FNB is that there are solutions that are specifically meant for businesses like mine,” Mkhonta said.
She said the guidance had helped her separate her personal and business finances while developing a clearer plan for future growth.
The forum also featured a keynote address by UPS Supplies Managing Director Behlule Dlomo, who was recognised as the Most Tech-Savvy Business at the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA).
Dlomo shared his business growth journey, highlighting the role of financial support in enabling his company to diversify into new sectors.
“With the bank’s support, we have grown from specialising only in the supply and repair of UPS systems to expanding into the hospitality and recycling sectors,” he said.
FNB SME Lead Nombuso Mndzebele said the bank remained committed to supporting SMEs and strengthening its position as Eswatini’s preferred banking partner for entrepreneurs.
She said direct engagement with business owners was essential in helping the bank understand their challenges and develop solutions that respond to their needs.
“These engagements help us better understand the needs of SMEs so that we can continue delivering relevant, practical and impactful solutions,” Mndzebele said.
She said the forums aligned with FNB’s new financial year commitment, “Help is for Everyone”.
“Through the FNB SME Growth Forum, help is for every SME in Eswatini,” she said.
The forum featured expert panel discussions led by specialists from FNB’s Merchant Services and Digital Payments, Foreign Exchange and Cross-Border Trade, Insurance Solutions for SMEs and WesBank divisions.
Entrepreneurs received practical guidance on digital payment solutions, cross-border trade, business insurance and asset financing.
FNB Eswatini has partnered with strategic stakeholders, including the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) and the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS), in hosting the forums.
The initiative comes as SMEs continue to play an important role in supporting livelihoods, creating employment and driving economic activity across the country.
The third FNB SME Growth Forum will be held at The George Hotel in Manzini on Monday, July 27, 2026, before the series concludes in the Shiselweni Region on August 3.
For the Hhohho entrepreneurs, the forum offered practical lessons on how improved financial management, technology and access to relevant business solutions can help small enterprises move from survival to sustainable growth.
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(Courtesy Pic)
