BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sustainable Centre will host a series of dialogues, networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing sessions during the 2026 Eswatini International Trade Fair, aimed at promoting sustainable business, innovation and green growth.
UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin made the announcement on Thursday during the unveiling of the UNDP and Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) partnership for this year’s International Trade Fair.
The Trade Fair, which will run from August 31 to September 4, 2026, will be held under the theme “Unlocking Green Opportunities for Sustainable Trade.”
Franklin said the Sustainable Centre would provide a dedicated platform for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and innovators to engage on the future of business and sustainability.
“From August 31st to the 4th of September, the UNDP Sustainable Centre will host a series of dialogues, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing sessions designed to showcase practical solutions that can help businesses become more resilient, productive, and competitive in a rapidly changing economy,” he said.
He said the centre would also create opportunities for businesses to learn about sustainable practices, establish partnerships and explore solutions that could improve their competitiveness.
One of the flagship engagements will be the “Powering Profit: Rethinking the Cost of Doing Business in Eswatini” symposium, scheduled for September 2 from 9am to 1pm.
The symposium will focus on the cost of energy as a major operational expense for businesses and will bring together business leaders, financiers, policymakers and entrepreneurs.
Discussions will explore renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart technologies, innovation and financing mechanisms that could help businesses reduce operating costs and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Franklin said the UNDP partnership would also support businesses through the Catalyzing Renewable Energy Access and Transition in Eswatini (CREATE) Programme, a Government of Eswatini initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy in collaboration with UNDP and Catalyse Eswatini.
He said the programme supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to make informed and bankable investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The UNDP representative acknowledged that rising operational costs were putting pressure on businesses, particularly MSMEs, but said the challenges could also present opportunities.
“When businesses have access to the right information, the right technologies, and the right financing, they can transform costs into investments and investments into sustainable growth,” Franklin said.
He extended an invitation to MSMEs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises, farmers, manufacturers, service providers and financial institutions to participate in activities at the Sustainable Centre.
He said the centre would be relevant to businesses seeking to reduce operational expenses, strengthen their business models, access financing, understand sustainability requirements in emerging markets or discover innovative green solutions.
Franklin stressed that Eswatini’s transition towards a greener economy should be inclusive, practical and business-driven.
He said sustainable development was not only about environmental protection, but also about creating jobs, improving productivity, strengthening resilience and ensuring that businesses could compete in regional and global markets.
He expressed appreciation to EIPA for the partnership and its continued role in promoting investment, trade, entrepreneurship and economic transformation in Eswatini.
Franklin said the 2026 International Trade Fair presented an opportunity to demonstrate that “green business is smart business” and that sustainable trade could become a powerful engine for inclusive prosperity.
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