MBABANE - Government has appointed Muzi Siyaya as the new Chairperson of the Board of the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA).
The announcement was made by Manqoba Khumalo during a press briefing yesterday where he unveiled the newly-constituted Board of the investment promotion authority.
Khumalo said the appointments came at a critical period for the country’s economic transformation agenda, as government intensifies efforts to position Eswatini as a competitive and attractive destination for both domestic and foreign direct investment.
“We have convened this press briefing to formally announce the appointment of new Board members to the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority, a key institution mandated to drive investment promotion and facilitate both domestic and foreign direct investment into our economy,” said Khumalo.
The minister described EIPA as one of government’s key economic institutions, tasked with promoting industrial growth, supporting job creation and marketing Eswatini to international investors.
“As you are aware, EIPA is a statutory body established under the Eswatini Investment Promotion Act of 1998, and it plays a central role in advancing our national economic development agenda. Its work directly contributes to job creation, industrial growth and the positioning of Eswatini as a competitive investment destination,” he said.
The newly appointed Board takes over following the expiry of the tenure of six previous Board members, prompting government to reconstitute the leadership structure in accordance with Section 7 of the Act and the broader public enterprise governance framework.
Khumalo said government followed due process in identifying the new Board members, taking into account their professional expertise, leadership capabilities and the strategic direction required at EIPA.
“Following due process, I am pleased to announce that government has appointed a new Board. These appointments have been made with careful consideration of professional competencies, leadership experience and the strategic needs of EIPA at this critical stage of our economic trajectory,” he said.
Siyaya, who holds a Master of Science Degree in Finance and Banking, joins the Board representing the private sector and will chair the authority during a period when Eswatini is seeking to unlock new investment opportunities across manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism and technology.
Reacting to his appointment, Siyaya expressed appreciation for the confidence government had placed in the newly appointed Board, saying they were committed to advancing the country’s economic development agenda through strategic investment facilitation.
“We appreciate the trust and confidence that government has placed in us as the newly appointed Board of EIPA. We fully recognise the importance of this institution in driving national economic growth through investment promotion and facilitation,” said Siyaya. He said the Board was fully aligned with national development priorities and would work closely with management and stakeholders to ensure the authority effectively delivers on its mandate.
“As a Board, we are fully aligned with the country’s national development goals and we understand the important role EIPA plays in attracting both domestic and foreign investment, which is critical for job creation, industrialisation and economic expansion,” he said.
Siyaya added that the Board would focus on strengthening investor confidence and supporting efforts aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the country.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to strengthen Eswatini’s investment environment and position the country as a preferred investment destination within the region,” he added.
His appointment is expected to bring significant private sector insight into the operations of the investment authority, particularly given his leadership experience within one of the country’s largest agro-industrial companies.
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he newly appointed EIPA Board Chairperson Muzi Siyaya.