Africa-Press – Eswatini. The capital city is bracing itself for a massive economic showcase as the 2026 Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair moves to a new date. Organizers, A Peculiar People, have officially shifted the event to Friday, May 1, 2026, a move sparked by the upcoming national celebrations for His Majesty King Mswati III’s Ruby Jubilee Coronation.
The decision was not merely about avoiding a calendar clash; it was a move rooted in deep respect for the throne. Chairman of A Peculiar People, Melusi “Zox” Dlamini, explained that the adjustment was made with “profound respect” for the historic milestone, ensuring that the fair does not compete with the national festivities scheduled for the same weekend.
By landing on May Day, the fair is set to become a strategic “economic intervention.” Since May 1st is a public holiday falling at the end of the month, the timing is perfect for the nation’s workforce—the primary consumer base—to spend their hard-earned salaries on local goods.
Dlamini emphasized that the holiday allows for a total transformation of the city’s infrastructure. “The public holiday allows us to responsibly transform one of Mbabane’s busiest streets into a massive marketplace,” he noted. During the event, Dr. Sishayi Road will be closed off and turned into a “living local superstore,” allowing residents to buy directly from the source and reinforcing the “Buy Local” movement.
The hype surrounding this year’s edition is unprecedented. Registration numbers have skyrocketed to 309 MSMEs, more than double the 141 businesses that participated last year. Dlamini hailed this surge as a major win for the industry.
“This year, we received an overwhelming 309 registrations, more than double last year’s 141, a clear signal of the growing confidence in the Made in Eswatini platform,” Dlamini stated.
However, with such a high number of participants, space on Dr. Sishayi Road will be at a premium. The floor layout is currently undergoing a redesign to ensure that every brand gets the visibility it deserves.
The fair is also looking beyond Eswatini’s borders. In a bid to push local products into the wider Southern African market, retail buyers from major chain stores across the region have been invited to scout for talent and high-quality goods.
Despite the grand scale of the event, it remains a free experience for the general public. With the support of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and international partners like the US Embassy and UNDP, Dlamini is confident in the impact of the new date.
“We invite all local and international consumers from all walks of life to join us on the 1st May 2026 as we celebrate the power of local commerce,” Dlamini concluded.
