Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has been chosen as a key partner in a groundbreaking continental initiative to transform small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.
The announcement came during a strategic meeting on March 24, 2026, at the Business Eswatini “War Room” in Emafini, where the AeTrade Group welcomed Eswatini as a founding member of its country programme.
The initiative, backed by the African Union, aims to break down long-standing barriers that hold SMEs back from limited access to finance and markets to lack of technical know-how. Eswatini joins Ethiopia and Rwanda as part of the first group of countries to roll out this programme.
At the heart of the plan is the Sokokuu Africa Integrated Ecosystem, a digital marketplace designed to help African producers reach African consumers. “This is not about competing with local businesses,” explained AeTrade Group CEO, Mulualem Syoum. “Think of it as a mall a place where African products can shine across the continent.”
One of the biggest challenges for SMEs, Syoum noted, is being seen as high-risk by financial institutions. “Many SMEs are labelled risky and face high-interest loans, which can crush their growth,” he said. Across Africa, SMEs need an estimated US$330 billion a year, yet most remain underserved.
The AeTrade Group has laid out a roadmap to change this. Their plan focuses on de-risking SMEs by providing financial literacy training, easier market access, and pre-approved credit scores. A four-year “graduation” programme will help businesses grow sustainably.
Business Eswatini CEO, E. Nathi Dlamini, welcomed the country’s election into the programme and emphasised the importance of a unified approach to funding. AeTrade echoed this, saying a blended finance platform will allow SMEs to be treated as commercial partners, not just beneficiaries.
The partnership also opens doors for young people. Under the programme, youth will work as trade advisors, gaining hands-on experience in intra-Africa trade. For local businesses, it’s a chance to take the “Made in Eswatini” label beyond borders and turn it into a brand recognised across Africa.
With over 850 digital platforms operating on the continent most focused on imports the Sokokuu.Africa platform is set to redirect attention toward intra-African trade. It aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the AU’s broader goal of boosting economic integration and financial inclusion.
For Eswatini, being among the first countries to implement this initiative is a major milestone. It signals a new era of visibility for local businesses, career opportunities for youth, and renewed momentum for national economic growth.
“This is an exciting moment for Eswatini,” said Dlamini. “It shows that our SMEs have the potential to thrive, not just locally, but across Africa. Together, we can unlock opportunities and take our products to new markets.”
