BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – The upcoming Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair 2026 has received a major boost after Lactalis Eswatini confirmed an E60 000 sponsorship aimed at strengthening local entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of home-grown businesses.
The announcement was made during the official engagement held in Mbabane, where stakeholders gathered for a guided tour of the Dr Sishayi Road venue, followed by a short post-tour gathering at Pink Lotus.
The tour at Dr Sishayi Road allowed stakeholders to assess the ongoing transformation of the site into a fully curated local exhibition space, designed to host entrepreneurs and showcase Eswatini’s locally produced goods and services ahead of the national fair scheduled for 1 May 2026.
Following the tour, stakeholders convened at Pink Lotus, where the engagement culminated in the formal handover of the E60 000 cheque to the Chairperson of A Peculiar People, Melusi ‘Zox’ Dlamini, marking Lactalis Eswatini’s official commitment to supporting the Consumer Fair and strengthening the Buy Local movement.
Speaking during the engagement, Lactalis Eswatini Marketing Manager Lucky Phiri said the company’s contribution reflects its deep-rooted commitment to local development and enterprise growth.
“As Lactalis, we are a business that is deeply rooted in the Eswatini community. We believe in the vision of the Made in Eswatini platform, and we are proud to contribute E60 000 to ensure that local products are given the stage they deserve,” he said.
He further emphasised that the sponsorship goes beyond financial support, describing it as a long-term investment in local entrepreneurship and economic growth.
“Our support is a testament to our confidence in local entrepreneurs and our commitment to the growth of this nation’s economy. We invite everyone to join us in May and witness the excellence that our Kingdom has to offer,” he added.
Organisers of the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair welcomed the contribution, noting that it will significantly strengthen the delivery and impact of the event, which continues to position itself as the Kingdom’s premier platform for local products, innovation, and enterprise development
The fair is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, institutions, and corporate partners under one unified national platform focused on strengthening local value chains and promoting economic empowerment.
As preparations continue, stakeholders say growing corporate participation reflects increasing confidence in Eswatini’s production capacity and the sustainability of the Buy Local agenda.
The event will officially open on 1 May 2026 in Mbabane.
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