WesBank and First National Bank (FNB) Eswatini have injected a combined E430 000 into this year’s Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF), reaffirming their long-standing support for the country’s premier business showcase.
WesBank contributed a Kia Sonet worth E230 000 for the highly anticipated Win-a-car competition, while FNB committed E200 000 to sponsor the EITF Business Seminars, which will be held under the theme “Digital Transformation 2.0: Creating Business Networks”.
According to FNB, the sponsorship represents an investment in initiatives that bring out the best in people, open up opportunities, and accelerate economic growth. FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini said the decision to support the fair was an easy one, as the EITF is one of those platforms that accelerate economic growth.
The EITF will run from 29 August to 7 September, bringing together businesses, innovators, and consumers from across Eswatini and beyond.
“True to our motto, we are committed to extending significant resources, now and into the future, towards helping Emaswati achieve their dreams,” he said.
Dlamini emphasised the importance of the Win-a-car competition, stating that it is one of the highlights of the Trade Fair every year. He said they were excited to once again partner with Kia and the Eswatini Investment and Trade Promotion Authority (EIPA) to make the dreams of one Liswati come true.
The CEO also recalled that last year’s winner revived his struggling business after winning the car, which he said was the kind of help they were proud to extend.
“Mobility in this day and age opens up massive opportunities for growth. We have no doubt that even for this year’s winner, this car will change their life for the better,” Dlamini said.
Beyond the competition, the EITF Business Seminars will offer small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) valuable insights into navigating challenges and expanding into new markets.
The CEO said these seminars were the bank’s way of connecting SMEs with the real help they need to grow and scale their work to reach new markets in Eswatini and beyond.
FNB will also host daily Business Clinics during the fair, offering tailored advice on balance sheets, cash flow projections, business planning, and lending readiness. The bank will further showcase entrepreneurial talent through the return of the EYA Square, providing space for selected 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) regional winners to display their products and services.
“We believe that the network, exposure and experience our entrepreneurs gain through their showcase at EYA Square sets them up for sustainable success going forward,” Dlamini noted.
He highlighted the broader economic significance of the sponsorship, stating that this package reflected their commitment to working with government and all key industry stakeholders to grow the economy and drive sustainable development.
“By investing in Emaswati and local businesses, particularly SMEs, we are contributing towards those goals,” he said.
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