Africa-Press – Eswatini. The cooperative movement in Eswatini entered a new phase with the official opening of the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV) House at Selection Park in Mbabane.
Presiding over the ceremony on August 28, 2025, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, said the event was more than just the inauguration of an office. “It represents the opening of new possibilities for the cooperative sector and the nation as a whole,” he stated.
The new facility also houses the Cooperative Digitalisation Centre, designed to provide innovation, training, and digital resources to cooperatives across the country.
E30 million investment in cooperatives
Through the SUCOSA II Project (Strengthening Cooperative Economic Cycles in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas in Selected Southern African Countries), DGRV has committed over E30 million between 2025 and 2027.
The funding will support the design of a Cooperative Central Bank, modernisation of Eswatini’s cooperative legal framework, leadership development at grassroots and national levels, and accelerated digital transformation.
Celebrating shared values and partnerships
Veit Gesenhues, Regional Programme Director for Southern Africa at DGRV, highlighted the broader vision behind the project. “This is not just the opening of a new space; it is a celebration of shared values, enduring partnership, and renewed commitment to the cooperative movement in Eswatini,” he said.
MoU and donation to strengthen capacity
As part of the event, Minister Khumalo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DGRV, formalising cooperation in strengthening the sector. In a further gesture of support, DGRV donated a VW Polo vehicle to the Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (ESASCCO), enhancing its ability to reach and support member cooperatives nationwide.
Driving sustainable growth
Minister Khumalo emphasised that cooperatives play a vital role in inclusive growth and sustainable development. “They empower communities to pool resources, create jobs, and build resilience against economic shocks,” he said.
With the launch of Raiffeisen House, Eswatini’s cooperative sector is set to benefit from modern tools, improved governance, and stronger financial systems—ushering in what stakeholders hailed as a new era of possibilities.
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