Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, officially broke ground Thursday, 19 December 2025, on the construction of the Ingelo Certification Scheme Cottage Factories at Lugongolweni Inkhundla.
This project is a practical step by the government to help small business owners improve their product standards, find steady work for local residents, and finally get their goods onto both local and international store shelves through better facilities and hands-on support.
The Ingelo Certification Scheme is a joint effort between the Ministry of Commerce, the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA), and the Small Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO). The team is working together to ensure that small businesses can produce safe, high-quality items that meet official standards, allowing them to compete fairly against larger brands within Eswatini and across the borders.
At the launch event, Minister Khumalo explained that these new cottage factories are a direct answer to the struggles small businesses have faced for years. Many entrepreneurs have found it difficult to grow because they lack proper workspaces, cannot afford modern machinery, or find the process of testing and certifying their products too expensive and confusing.
Under this new project, business owners will work out of specialized buildings that are already set up with modern equipment and expert advice. These factories will act as local hubs within different communities, helping new businesses learn the necessary skills, get their official “Ingelo” quality certification, and find new places to sell their goods.
This move also addresses specific requests made by business owners during the recent MSME Conference. At that meeting, entrepreneurs asked for more than just classroom training; they asked for real buildings and tools to help them meet market rules. The government noted that this project is a core part of its plan to grow local industry, increase exports, and create more jobs for young people.
Lugongolweni Inkhundla is the first site for the project, where Lungelo Maziya will begin producing jams and dried fruits. His work serves as a model for how local farming can be turned into packaged products, ensuring that food is prepared safely and consistently every time.
Construction for these factories is set to be finished by March 2026 in the Lugongolweni, Mkhiweni, and Motshane areas. Once these doors open, the facilities will support a growing number of local makers, making small businesses a much stronger part of the country’s economy and helping Eswatini-made products reach the global stage.
The government has promised to continue working with private partners and international organizations to make sure small businesses aren’t just started, but are given the long-term support they need to follow quality standards and succeed in a tough market.
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