ATHLETICS – MTN MoMo has increased its sponsorship of the Mbabane Marathon to E276 000, up from last year’s E260 000 package, as the city’s flagship road-running event continues to grow in stature and participation.
MTN Fintech CEO Sam Shongwe announced the increased sponsorship yesterday during the launch of the eighth edition of the Mbabane Marathon, highlighting the event’s growth from 1 500 runners in 2024 to 2 400 last year.
Shongwe said the marathon had developed into more than just a sporting event, becoming a platform that brings together individuals, businesses and communities while promoting healthy living and showcasing the capital city.
“We are particularly encouraged by the remarkable growth of this event over the years,” Shongwe said.
The growth was also highlighted by Mbabane Mayor Thulani Mkhonto, who traced the marathon’s journey from its beginnings as a 10km race in 2018, to a 21km event and, ultimately, the introduction of the 42km full marathon last year.
Mkhonto described the development as a source of pride for the capital, saying the marathon had become an important part of Mbabane’s identity.
“The Mbabane Marathon has grown into much more than a sporting event. It has become an important part of the identity of our city – a celebration of endurance, healthy living, community, tourism and the spirit of Mbabane,” he said. “Today, we celebrate that growth and we say: the journey continues.”
The mayor said the city of Mbabane was committed to positioning the capital as a premier destination for sport, recreation, tourism and major events.
He said the municipality wanted Mbabane to be recognised not only as the country’s administrative and commercial capital, but also as a city where people could come together, participate, compete and create memorable experiences.
Mkhonto challenged the organisers to improve the event every year, with particular focus on the athlete experience, safety and organisation, while attracting greater participation from across Eswatini, the SADC region and beyond.
He also stressed the economic value of the marathon, saying it should contribute meaningfully to the promotion and economic development of the city.
“A major event such as the Mbabane Marathon cannot be delivered by the municipality alone. It is made possible through partnerships,” Mkhonto said.
He thanked MTN MoMo for its continued partnership, saying the company had played an important role in the marathon’s growth story.
Shongwe said MTN Fintech’s continued involvement was also aimed at advancing digital and financial inclusion in Mbabane, particularly through the onboarding of market vendors and small businesses onto the MoMo platform.
He said businesses could now accept Pay with MoMo, providing customers with a secure and cashless payment option while enabling merchants to manage their finances more effectively.
The marathon’s registration platform also supports MoMo payments, allowing participants to register, select their race categories and pay using their MoMo wallets.
Shongwe said the E276 000 investment reflected MTN Fintech’s belief in initiatives that inspire people, strengthen communities and bring practical digital solutions closer to Emaswati.
“When local businesses thrive, communities prosper. And when people have access to secure and accessible financial services, they are empowered to achieve more, both on and off the race course,” he said.
The 2026 Mbabane Marathon will be held on November 21, with organisers aiming to build on the event’s rapid growth and attract an even bigger field.
