Africa-Press – Eswatini. Applications for the 2025 Eswatini Entrepreneur Awards are now open, giving local business owners a chance to be recognised for their hard work and innovation.
Speaking at the launch, SEDCO CEO Khethiwe Mhlanga said the awards aim to celebrate the resilience and creativity of entrepreneurs who are building the country’s economy from the ground up.
She encouraged small business owners across all sectors to apply, noting that their stories deserve to be seen and honoured.
RELATED: FNB Eswatini increases EYA sponsorship by 6.25%
Worth mentioning is that entry forms to be available on various platforms Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khethiwe Mhlanga announced that application forms for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will be available on various platforms.
Mhlanga said entrepreneurs could access and submit their entry forms online through SEDCO’s digital platforms, with mobile-friendly forms designed for easy completion on smartphones.
She said the forms would be available on all SEDCO and EYA social media pages, ensuring wide reach and convenience.
Mhlanga said as per His Majesty King Mswati III directive, SEDCO would be conducting activations and roadshows in all four regions to engage entrepreneurs directly and assist with applications.
Additionally, hard copies of forms will be available at all SEDCO regional offices, strategically located to serve businesses in every corner of the country.
EYA was sponsored E10,000 by EBS
She urged every entrepreneur across the country, from tech pioneers to the agricultural innovators, to step forward and share their story because their journey could inspire an entire generation.
Meanwhile the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) 2024 had set a new benchmark for entrepreneurial recognition in Eswatini, according to Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo.
The 2024 awards not only celebrated the accomplishments of local entrepreneurs but also introduced significant enhancements aimed at benefiting participants even further.
Khumalo said the last edition of the EYA was a resounding success, highlighting the introduction of cash prizes at the regional competition.
This innovation, he noted, emphasised government’s commitment and its partners in creating a more advantageous environment for entrepreneurs.
In addition to cash awards, participants received essential promotional tools, such as business cards, to help elevate their businesses.
The success of EYA 2024 was apparent at every stage from its launch and the accompanying road shows to the regional awards, culminating in a grand national gala event graced by His Majesty King Mswati III. “I am filled with pride and inspiration,” Khumalo said.
He stated that during the gala, His Majesty delivered an inspiring address that revisited a visionary statement he made the previous year, which was the aspiration for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Eswatini to achieve their first E1 billion in revenue.
The ambitious goal symbolises the immense potential of the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit and serves as a powerful motivator for local business owners.
His Majesty further mandated government to ensure that essential business services were accessible in all tinkhundla through the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO).
This directive highlighted the critical role that MSMEs played in the economic landscape of Eswatini and reflected the leadership’s dedication to supporting this sector.
He said emphasising the urgency of this mission, the king’s ‘Nkwe’ directive called for speedy service delivery to facilitate the growth of MSMEs. Khumalo assured the audience that his ministry was fully committed to executing this directive.
Worth mentioning is that the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) is Eswatini’s leading platform for recognising outstanding small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Organised by the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), the awards honour businesses that have shown strong leadership, legal compliance, social impact, and innovation.
Some of the Sponsorship for EYA 2025
The competition provides exposure to new markets and financial institutions, prize money, and professional advice from industry experts. In 2024, the awards received a major boost with E1.7 million in sponsorship, including a car worth E500,000 for the overall winner, courtesy of FNB Eswatini.
Applications for the 2025 edition are now open. Entrepreneurs from all sectors are encouraged to apply via the SEDCO website.
This year, the awards boast a sponsorship package worth E1.7 million, with FNB Eswatini contributing E1.6 million and a vehicle valued at E500,000 for the overall winner.
For the first time, regional winners will also receive cash prizes.
Other sponsors include Old Mutual Eswatini, FINCORP, and the Eswatini National Provident Fund.
SEDCO CEO Khethiwe Mhlanga said, “We believe this will not only incentivize participation but also significantly contribute to the economic development of our regions,”
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