BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MANZINI – His Majesty King Mswati III has called for greater regional integration and collaboration as Eswatini positions itself to unlock opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expand markets for locally produced, value-added goods.
Speaking during the official opening of the 58th edition of the Eswatini International Trade Fair at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, the King said promoting intra-African trade and strengthening cross-border value chains were critical to economic growth and job creation.
The King said the issue of unemployment, particularly among young people, had featured prominently during the recent 46th SADC Ordinary Summit in Durban, South Africa.
He said Heads of State and Government agreed that there was an urgent need to create employment opportunities across the region and identified integration and collaboration as key catalysts for achieving this objective.
According to the King, the region must focus on strategic investments in sectors such as agriculture and minerals while ensuring that more value addition takes place within African countries rather than exporting raw materials.
“We identified integration and collaboration as the key catalyst for realising this regional objective by making sure that we invest in agriculture, minerals and do value addition within our shores,” he said.
The King said SADC leaders had further agreed that the promotion of intra-SADC trade, regional industrialisation and the unlocking of cross-border value chains were imperative to achieving the aspirations of SADC Vision 2050, which is aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He said the Eswatini International Trade Fair was an important platform in advancing the country’s economic ambitions and underscored the Kingdom’s strategic position within major regional trade blocs, including the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC.
Beyond these regional arrangements, the King said Eswatini was accelerating its readiness to take advantage of the AfCFTA, which offers local producers an opportunity to reach wider markets across the continent.
The AfCFTA, he said, could help unlock intra-African trade channels and enable local producers to export value-added goods more seamlessly across African markets.
His Majesty’s remarks come as the 58th edition of the trade fair is being held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion’.
The King said embracing green economy practices was increasingly important for businesses seeking to remain competitive in the modern economy.
From sustainable sourcing and clean technologies to environmentally friendly production, he said, sustainability was no longer merely an option but had become essential for long-term commercial competitiveness and environmental stewardship.
The King said embedding sustainability into trade promotion could assist enterprises to access new global markets, drive innovation and build economic resilience.
He also highlighted the important role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the bedrock of the domestic economy and street trade.
The King said trade fairs gave small businesses, ranging from rural agri-businesses and local craft artisans to emerging technology innovators, an opportunity to exhibit alongside established corporate leaders.
Such exposure, he said, provides MSMEs with visibility, mentorship and market linkages required to expand their operations.
The King said the growing number of exhibitors at this year’s trade fair, which has surpassed previous records, was evidence of the value businesses attach to the platform.
He said Eswatini must continue building stronger links between local production, regional integration and continental markets if the country is to fully unlock the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.
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