BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
SITEKI– From humble beginnings and bold ideas to successful enterprises creating jobs and changing lives, entrepreneurs from the Lubombo Region gathered to celebrate their journeys of resilience, innovation and determination as the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) campaign was launched in the region.
The launch of the 20th anniversary edition of the prestigious awards was held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Siteki Hotel, under the theme “20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth”, bringing together entrepreneurs, government officials, corporate partners and business leaders to recognise the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) towards Eswatini’s economic development.
For two decades, the EYA programme has provided a platform to identify, celebrate and support entrepreneurs who continue to transform challenges into opportunities, while contributing towards employment creation, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
The Lubombo Regional Awards marked the beginning of the 2026 EYA journey, with the programme continuing to evolve from a single national event into a nationwide competition that takes recognition and opportunities closer to entrepreneurs across Eswatini’s four regions.
The regional approach has widened participation by allowing both emerging and established businesses to showcase their achievements within their communities before the strongest performers advance to the national finals later this year.
The ceremony was attended by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Ambassador Melusi Masuku, who represented the Minister, alongside SEDCO Chief Executive Officer Ms Khethiwe Mhlanga, FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani “TK” Dlamini, corporate partners, business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Masuku said the 20-year milestone reflected the success of a shared commitment between government, the private sector and entrepreneurs in building a stronger economy.
He said government does not view Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as a peripheral sector, but as the foundation of economic development, job creation and citizen participation.
“Twenty years is a big milestone. It is two decades of policy translated into practice, of budgets translated into businesses, and of national vision translated into the kind of enterprise we celebrate in this room today,” said Masuku.
He highlighted government’s continued support for MSMEs through initiatives such as the National MSME Policy 2024–2029 and the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act, which are aimed at improving access to finance, markets, skills development and opportunities for locally owned businesses.
Masuku applauded Lubombo entrepreneurs for their strong participation in this year’s competition, noting that the region contributed 87 applications out of the 362 received nationally.
He further celebrated the high participation of women entrepreneurs, revealing that women accounted for 73 percent of Lubombo’s applicants, making the region the leading women-led entrepreneurial region in this year’s national programme.
“That is not just a regional statistic. That is Lubombo leading the Kingdom on inclusive economic participation, and government takes note of it,” he said.
Meanwhile, SEDCO Chief Executive Officer Khethiwe Mhlanga said the EYA programme continues to be a powerful platform for recognising entrepreneurs who demonstrate commitment, creativity and business excellence.
She congratulated all participants, saying reaching the regional awards stage was already a major achievement.
“Your contributions are not just vital to your individual success, but are fundamental to the economic growth and prosperity of our beloved Kingdom of Eswatini,” said Mhlanga.
She explained that Lubombo recorded 87 applications this year compared to 103 in 2025, noting that the difference reflected a deliberate decision to ensure that businesses entering the competition were prepared to meet the programme’s standards.
Mhlanga said the competition was designed not only to recognise winners, but also to strengthen businesses through exposure, learning opportunities and support.
She noted that Lubombo’s applications reflected a diverse entrepreneurial landscape, with business services, retail and agriculture emerging as leading sectors.
Meanwhile, FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani “TK” Dlamini reaffirmed the bank’s commitment towards supporting entrepreneurs, describing MSMEs as key contributors to Eswatini’s economic future.
Dlamini said FNB’s partnership with SEDCO through the EYA programme enables the bank to better understand the needs of businesses and develop solutions that provide meaningful support.
He revealed that FNB Eswatini and the FNB Eswatini Foundation increased their sponsorship package for the 20th anniversary edition to E2 million.
He also announced that prizes for this year’s overall regional winners would be doubled compared to previous years.
Dlamini further launched the FNB SME Growth Forums, an initiative aimed at bringing practical business support closer to entrepreneurs through discussions on financial management, business planning, market opportunities and emerging economic trends.
The ceremony also recognised the contribution of partners, including FNB Eswatini and the FNB Foundation, ENPF, Taiwan ICDF, FINCORP and Infinity Links, whose support continues to strengthen entrepreneurship development in the country.
As the EYA regional programme continues across Eswatini, entrepreneurs will have further opportunities to showcase their businesses before the national awards later this year.
The Lubombo launch reaffirmed the strength of Eswatini’s entrepreneurial spirit while celebrating 20 years of nurturing future growth.
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(Courtesy Pic)
