MBABANE – The Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, yesterday officially opened a workshop for Senators from the ministry’s portfolio committee to deliberate on two critical legislative reforms.
These legislative reforms involve the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Amendment Bill, 2024 and the Companies Bill — both aimed at strengthening Eswatini’s investment climate and ease of doing business.
The workshop forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to create a more enabling business environment that aligns with the National Development Plan and the Strategic Roadmap 2019–2023, which prioritises private sector-led growth and job creation.
In his opening remarks, Minister Khumalo said the discussions on these two Bills represent ‘a significant step forward in positioning Eswatini as a competitive and attractive investment destination in the region.’
He highlighted that both Bills are key to the broader agenda of economic transformation, ensuring that Eswatini’s legal and regulatory frameworks remain up-to-date and responsive to global business trends.
“We want to make sure that investors – both local and foreign – find Eswatini to be a place where setting up and operating a business is straightforward, transparent and competitive,” the minister stated.
The SEZ Amendment Bill, 2024, seeks to update and refine the 2018 SEZ Act, which established designated areas offering special incentives for investors in manufacturing, logistics and technology-driven sectors.
The amendment is expected to address gaps that were identified since the implementation of the original Act, particularly around land allocation, taxation clarity and operational flexibility for investors.
Under the new proposals, the SEZ framework will provide clearer governance structures, ensure better coordination between government agencies and the private sector and enhance transparency in the granting of SEZ status.
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… new Bill to streamline business operations
MBABANE – The Companies Bill, which replaces the current Companies Act of 1912, is regarded as one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in Eswatini’s commercial history.
The century-old law has long been seen as outdated and misaligned with modern corporate governance, digital business registration systems and contemporary business practices.
Once enacted, the Companies Bill will simplify business registration, enhance corporate transparency and strengthen shareholder and investor protections. The Bill also introduces provisions that encourage digital filing and reporting, in line with the government’s e-governance strategy.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the Bill is expected to significantly improve Eswatini’s ranking in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators, particularly in areas related to starting a business, protecting minority investors and resolving insolvency.
Senators attending the workshop were encouraged to engage robustly on these reforms, as their deliberations will shape the final versions of the Bills before they are tabled in Parliament for passage into law.
Eswatini has been undertaking a series of economic reforms to stimulate private sector investment, diversify exports and reduce reliance on the public sector.
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