Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo says the three-day MSMEs Conference must produce practical solutions to the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs.
Khumalo said the event should go beyond identifying long-standing issues and instead focus on finding actionable strategies to strengthen the MSME sector.
“This conference is not a talk shop. It is a space for honest reflection, bold ideas and practical solutions, but an opportunity to forge new partnerships and build a more enabling environment for every entrepreneur who has the courage to create, innovate and invest in Eswatini,” he said.
The minister emphasised that MSMEs play a vital role in driving inclusive economic growth, creating employment, and fostering innovation.
He said government, the private sector and development partners must work together to remove the barriers that hinder the growth of small enterprises.
Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) Chief Executive Officer Khethiwe Mhlanga urged MSMEs to embrace digital transformation as a critical tool for competitiveness and sustainability.
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“The use of technology, whether for financial management, automation to boost productivity, digital marketing, e-commerce platforms like the Buy Eswatini app, or business networking would amplify the way MSMEs operate,” Mhlanga said.
She stressed that collaboration between the public and private sectors was essential to ensure that supportive policies and infrastructure were in place to help small businesses thrive. Mhlanga revealed that SEDCO embarked on a nationwide initiative to establish innovation hubs (iHubs) in all regions to equip entrepreneurs with digital skills and technological support.
Mhlanga also highlighted the importance of positioning MSMEs to take advantage of export opportunities through the country’s membership in various regional and international trade blocs.
Eswatini is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the SADC-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (SADC-EU EPA), and Taiwan, among others blocs.
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