OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS, BUSINESSES IN NKOMAZI SEZ

MBABANE – The Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in South Africa (SA) presents significant opportunities for Eswatini’s businesses and farmers, particularly in agriculture, agro-processing and logistics.

Established in 2018 as a multi-sectoral SEZ, Nkomazi is strategically positioned to enhance trade and investment, offering Eswatini entrepreneurs a gateway to regional and global markets.

Speaking during a cocktail event in Mozambique on the second day of a Triland initiative excursion, Ntwanano Mntungwa, the Executive Manager at Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), emphasised the expansion of the initiative to include trade and economic development beyond its original focus on tourism.

The Triland initiative is a regional collaboration among Mozambique, Mpumalanga (South Africa) and Eswatini aimed at boosting economic integration.

Mntungwa highlighted that the Nkomazi SEZ could greatly benefit Eswatini’s fresh produce farmers. “Eswatini has vast fertile land and has embraced organic farming, but many farmers still operate at a small scale. Similarly, in our region, particularly in areas with a high concentration of black farmers, subsistence farming is still prevalent. Through the Nkomazi SEZ, we aim to integrate these farmers into the larger market and add value to their produce,” he said.

Aggregate

The SEZ aims to establish a fresh produce market modelled after the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, where small-scale farmers from Eswatini can aggregate their produce and access a broader customer base, including large retailers and international buyers.

Beyond agriculture, Eswatini’s developed forestry industry also stands to benefit. “Eswatini has a well-established timber sector and we see the potential for collaboration in which Eswatini supplies raw materials while Mpumalanga focuses on furniture processing,” Mntungwa added.

Mozambique’s ports further enhance the SEZ’s value by facilitating the global distribution of products. Mntungwa stressed the importance of the three-sister countries supporting one another in fostering economic growth and embracing the concept of ‘buy local, think global.’

Advancing

While the Nkomazi SEZ presents new opportunities, Eswatini itself has been advancing its SEZ initiatives to drive industrialisation and economic growth. The country has established its own SEZs, including:
l King Mswati III International Airport SEZ – Positioned as a logistics hub, this SEZ aims to support air cargo, export-oriented industries, and value-added agriculture.

The zone is set to benefit from increased trade and transport links, enhancing Eswatini’s role in regional logistics.

l Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) SEZ – Focused on technology, innovation, and research-driven industries. Recently, this SEZ received a significant boost as iSwiss Bank was granted a financial services licence, reinforcing its potential as a financial and fintech hub. The bank’s presence is expected to attract more investors and stimulate financial sector growth in the country.

l Sidvokodvo Industrial SEZ – Geared towards manufacturing, agro-processing and textile industries, providing incentives for investors. New investments in the textile sector are underway, with international manufacturers showing interest in expanding operations within the SEZ.

By integrating efforts with Nkomazi SEZ, Eswatini’s businesses can leverage these opportunities to access larger markets and enhance industrial capacity. The collaboration among the three nations underscores the potential for regional economic upliftment through unified development strategies.

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