Business

MBABANE - The Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, has officially launched the Eswatini Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Conference 2025.

This is a first-of-its-kind national platform dedicated to empowering local entrepreneurs and accelerating economic transformation.

Speaking yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters in Mbabane, Minister Khumalo described the conference as ‘a movement that aims to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen collaboration between MSMEs and public-private partners and accelerate economic transformation in Eswatini.’

Themed ‘Unlocking Opportunities for MSMEs in Eswatini’, the inaugural conference will take place from November 10 - 12, 2025 at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini – a location symbolic of MSME success in the tourism sector.

The minister emphasised that the initiative is aligned with His Majesty King Mswati III’s nkwe mandate for accelerated national transformation, which seeks to boost economic growth to 12 per cent by 2029.

“The Eswatini MSME Conference stems directly from His Majesty’s vision to build an inclusive and competitive economy through entrepreneurship,” Khumalo said.

He explained that the conference is part of a broader national effort spearheaded by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO) under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade. This programme aims to strengthen Eswatini’s MSME ecosystem by addressing barriers to finance, markets, innovation and digitalisation.

Khumalo noted that MSMEs remain the backbone of Eswatini’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, job creation, youth and women empowerment and economic diversification.

The three-day conference will bring together around 250 delegates, including representatives from local and regional MSMEs, government ministries, private sector leaders, financial institutions and international development organisations.

According to the Minister, participants can expect trade exhibitions, expert panel discussions, networking sessions and practical training aimed at helping entrepreneurs close funding gaps, expand market access and adopt technology and innovation.

Full article available in our publication.

Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo making his remarks during the launch of the MSMEs conference 2025. (Pics: Nhlanganiso Mkhonta)

Director of MSMEs in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Mluleki Dlamini (R) and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Company CEO Khethiwe Mhlanga.