Africa-Press – Eswatini. Businesses in Eswatini have been challenged to think beyond borders and embrace quality standards as a gateway to unlocking lucrative export markets.
This emerged on April 1,2026 during the Eswatini Standards Seminar held at the Royal Villas, where government and industry leaders emphasised that compliance is no longer a hurdle, but a critical driver of growth, competitiveness and global reach.
Speaking at the seminar, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said the country economic transformation hinges on its ability to penetrate export markets through value addition and adherence to quality standards.
Khumalo said government Programme of Action (2024–2029), anchored on the National Development Plan, seeks to stimulate fast, inclusive economic growth, create employment and reduce poverty.
He referenced the vision set by His Majesty King Mswati III during the opening of the 3rd Session of the 12th Parliament, where an ambitious target was set to increase the country’s GDP per capita from approximately E78 238 to E480 000 (US$30,000).
“This will not be possible without a significant transformation in industrial growth driven by exports,” said Khumalo.
He noted that Eswatini must prioritise high-potential sectors such as agro-processing, textiles, wood products and beverages to diversify from raw exports and maximise returns.
Khumalo further urged local businesses, particularly MSMEs, to take advantage of trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, AGOA and EU-SADC, which provide duty-free access to major markets.
“The AfCFTA alone presents a market of over 1.3 billion people, with a potential continental GDP of US$3.3 trillion, projected to lift 50 million people out of poverty and expand consumer spending to US$6.7 trillion by 2030,” he said.
He also highlighted that Eswatini small population of about 1.2 million people, coupled with youth unemployment estimated at over 50%, underscores the urgent need to prioritise export-led industrialisation.
However, he warned that non-compliance with standards continues to hinder access to these markets, often resulting in product rejections and financial losses.
“Standards and quality compliance act as critical gatekeepers. Businesses must adopt certifications such as ISO, HACCP and ARSO standards to gain credibility and compete globally,” he said.
Khumalo called on companies to pursue certification through the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA), describing it as a “passport” to international markets.
He added that certified products enjoy increased trust, higher market value and the ability to scale production, ultimately creating jobs.
Meanwhile, ESWASA Executive Director Ncamiso Mhlanga acknowledged that despite the availability of export opportunities, uptake among local businesses remains low.
“Local MSMEs are not moving swiftly to take advantage of these opportunities. Without adopting a culture of quality, these markets will continue to elude us,” he said.
Mhlanga explained that the seminar aimed to raise awareness on export opportunities while equipping businesses with knowledge on quality requirements needed to access international markets.
He highlighted the importance of partnerships, including the upcoming memorandum of understanding between ESWASA and the South African Bureau of Standards, which is expected to enhance local certification capacity built on over 80 years of experience.
At continental level, the African Organisation for Standardisation continues to play a key role in developing harmonised standards across more than 7 000 AfCFTA tariff lines.
Despite progress, Mhlanga pointed out key challenges that need urgent attention, including the need to strengthen legislation to make quality standards mandatory, invest in national testing and calibration infrastructure, and tighten border controls to regulate product quality.
He, however, commended government initiatives such as the Ingelo Certification Scheme, which supports MSMEs in improving product quality through training, technical assistance and infrastructure development.
The seminar also showcased success stories from certified companies already benefiting from international trade, reinforcing the importance of compliance in unlocking export potential.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the engagements would lead to increased certification uptake and position Eswatini businesses as competitive players in regional and global markets.
