EZULWINI – Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has called for an urgent shift towards value addition and export-driven industrialisation.
The minister stressed that Eswatini must prioritise high-potential sectors and fully utilise global trade agreements to unlock sustainable economic growth.
Khumalo made the remarks during the official opening of the Eswatini Standards Seminar, hosted by the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA) at the Royal Villas Hotel yesterday.
Speaking under the theme ‘Unlocking Export Markets for Local Businesses through Standards and Quality Compliance,’ the minister emphasised that Eswatini’s economic future hinges on its ability to move away from raw exports towards value-added production.
“The country needs to increase its export potential by prioritising value addition in high-potential sectors like agro-processing, including sugar, fruits and juices, as well as textiles, wood products and beverages,” said Khumalo.
“This is critical to diversifying from raw exports and positioning Eswatini competitively in global markets.”
He noted that while the country has historically relied on exporting primary commodities, the next phase of growth requires transforming these into finished or semi-processed goods that command higher value and create jobs locally.
Khumalo further highlighted the importance of leveraging existing trade agreements to expand market access for local products. He pointed to frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement, as well as bilateral trade arrangements with Taiwan.
“These agreements offer duty-free access to vast markets across Africa, the United States and Europe. We must take full advantage of them to grow our exports and strengthen the economy,” he said.
The minister singled out AfCFTA as a game-changer, noting that it brings together 55 African countries with a combined population of 1.3 billion people and the potential to significantly boost intra-African trade.
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Low uptake of export opportunities
EZULWINI – ESWASA Executive Director Ncamiso Mhlanga raised concern over the low uptake of export opportunities by local businesses, particularly MSMEs.
“While agreements for external markets such as AfCFTA, AGOA and COMESA are in place, we observe a low uptake of these opportunities, especially by local MSMEs,” said Mhlanga.
He attributed this largely to limited adoption of quality standards and a lack of readiness among businesses to meet international requirements.
“Without a strong quality culture and adherence to standards, these opportunities will continue to elude us,” he warned.
Mhlanga said the seminar was designed to raise awareness among local businesses about export opportunities and the quality requirements needed to access them.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s quality infrastructure, including collaboration with regional and international bodies.
Among these is a forthcoming memorandum of understanding between ESWASA and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), which is expected to enhance capacity through knowledge sharing and technical support
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