BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Thousands of farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses across Eswatini are set to gain access to new markets, digital trading platforms and financial services following a landmark partnership between the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) and Ae-Trade Group.
The two organisations on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating digital trade, improving market access and expanding financial inclusion for farmers, particularly smallholder producers, youth and women involved in agriculture.
The partnership is expected to transform the country’s agricultural value chain by combining NAMBoard’s expertise in farmer development, agricultural regulation and market facilitation with Ae-Trade Group’s digital trade and financial inclusion platform.
Under the agreement, farmers and agribusinesses will be able to access a range of digital services designed to improve their competitiveness. These include digital market visibility, buyer linkages, instant payment solutions, e-wallet services, financing opportunities, logistics coordination, insurance linkages and access to regional and continental markets.
The initiative is expected to reduce barriers that have long limited farmers’ ability to reach profitable markets and secure financial services, while positioning Eswatini’s agricultural sector to take advantage of growing regional trade opportunities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, NAMBoard Chief Executive Officer Bhekizwe Maziya described the partnership as an important milestone in the country’s drive to modernise agriculture.
“We are excited to have Ae-Trade Group as a founding partner. This partnership will help us reach further, build capacity for farmers and officers, and provide more comprehensive support to agripreneurs,” said Maziya.
Ae-Trade Group Chief Executive Officer Mulualem Syoum said the agreement represents more than a formal partnership, describing it as a practical commitment to making agriculture a stronger driver of economic growth, employment, trade and financial inclusion.
He said the focus would now shift towards implementing tangible programmes that deliver measurable benefits for farmers through pilot commodities, farmer clusters, buyer linkages, financing pathways and practical implementation plans.
Implementation of the agreement will begin immediately through a joint technical team tasked with coordinating pilot projects, digital onboarding of farmers, farmer clustering, buyer linkages and financing initiatives.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen food security, stimulate agro-industrial growth, promote exports and create employment opportunities while contributing to poverty reduction and Eswatini’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The agreement also places particular emphasis on ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises, youth entrepreneurs and women engaged in agriculture benefit from improved access to markets and financial services, helping them participate more effectively in local, regional and continental trade.
For NAMBoard, the partnership forms part of its broader strategy to create sustainable market opportunities for farmers through innovation, strategic partnerships and digital technologies that improve productivity and competitiveness.
The signing of the MoU comes at a time when governments and development partners across Africa are increasingly promoting digital solutions as a means of strengthening agricultural value chains, improving farmers’ incomes and enhancing food systems. By embracing digital trade and financial inclusion, NAMBoard and Ae-Trade Group hope to unlock new opportunities that will enable Eswatini’s farmers to compete more effectively in an increasingly interconnected marketplace.
(Courtesy Pic)
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