Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini exported goods worth E27.4 billion to South Africa in 2024, underscoring the strong trade and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
This was revealed on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Royal Villas in Ezulwini, during a business breakfast meeting hosted by His Excellency Wouter Zaayman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the South African High Commission in Eswatini. The event, held in Mbabane, brought together Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and members of Eswatini’s business community for an engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Dlamini highlighted that Eswatini and South Africa were not only reliable trade partners but also countries bound by deep historical and cultural ties. He noted that the two nations shared a relationship that had stood the test of time, particularly during South Africa’s apartheid era, when Eswatini opened its borders to South Africans fleeing persecution.
The Prime Minister said Eswatini remained committed to maintaining this mutually beneficial relationship, which continued to play a vital role in the Kingdom’s economic growth and industrial development. “South Africa is more than a neighbour — it is a strategic partner in our pursuit of prosperity and regional integration,” he said.
According to Dlamini, South Africa remains Eswatini’s principal trading partner, accounting for 84 percent of the country’s total trade. He emphasised that this strong interdependence was a reflection of the two countries’ shared economic interests and the success of regional collaboration under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) framework.
Dlamini expressed gratitude for the continued partnership between the two nations, noting that trade relations were supported by long-standing political goodwill and cooperation. He said such engagements provided valuable platforms for dialogue between government and the private sector, enabling the identification of opportunities and solutions to enhance cross-border trade.
Meanwhile, Zaayman commended the ongoing collaboration between the two countries, describing Eswatini as an important trade partner for South Africa. He revealed that Eswatini ranked as South Africa’s 19th largest export market and 21st largest import source, reflecting the significance of trade flows between the two economies.
Zaayman said South Africa remained committed to strengthening trade ties and fostering investment that benefits both sides. He acknowledged the contribution of Eswatini’s business community to regional supply chains, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and retail trade.
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