Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, has reaffirmed the Government of Eswatini’s strong commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, describing it as the heartbeat of the national economy.
Speaking at the official opening of the Eswatini MSME Conference 2025, held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini on Monday, 10 November 2025, the Minister said the conference marked a major milestone in the country’s drive towards building a stronger, more competitive, and inclusive economy. The three-day event brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, financiers, innovators, development partners, and academic institutions to chart a collective path for MSME growth and sustainability.
Khumalo said MSMEs were central to Eswatini’s economic transformation, as they played a vital role in job creation, women’s empowerment, and youth development. He noted that small businesses were engines of innovation and crucial drivers of the nation’s diversification agenda. “MSMEs are not just a sector of our economy; they are its heartbeat,” he emphasised, expressing optimism about the sector’s capacity to propel Eswatini towards a more resilient and self-sustaining future.
The Minister acknowledged that despite their potential, MSMEs continued to face structural barriers that hindered their growth, including limited access to finance, markets, and modern technology. He said this year’s conference had been designed as a high-impact platform to translate policy commitments into tangible solutions, giving entrepreneurs the tools and support they needed to succeed.
According to Khumalo, discussions over the three days would focus on priority areas such as access to finance, digital transformation, market expansion, certification and standards, sustainable business practices, and entrepreneurship skills development. He said these themes reflected the Government’s determination to build an enabling environment that encouraged innovation and competitiveness across all sectors.
Highlighting some of the Ministry’s recent achievements, Khumalo expressed pride in the progress made through strategic partnerships, particularly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC). Through these collaborations, he said, Eswatini had successfully reviewed the National MSME Policy, strengthened the standards and certification ecosystem, and expanded entrepreneurship development initiatives. The partnerships had also promoted digital integration, ensuring that local entrepreneurs could compete more effectively in both domestic and international markets.
“These achievements lay a strong foundation for the next phase of our work,” he remarked, calling for even deeper cooperation among all sectors represented at the conference. He said that collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners would be key to driving meaningful change and ensuring that Eswatini’s entrepreneurs reached their full potential.
The Minister stressed that the conference was not a “talk shop,” but a space for honest reflection, bold ideas, and practical solutions. He urged participants to use the platform to share experiences, form partnerships, and generate actionable outcomes that would directly benefit the MSME community. His message to entrepreneurs was one of encouragement and hope—reminding them that their innovation, resilience, and creativity were essential to the country’s future prosperity.
Khumalo also commended the growing number of young and female entrepreneurs who continued to break barriers and contribute to national development. He said their participation in the economy was evidence that the country’s future was in capable hands. “This conference is an opportunity to celebrate our entrepreneurs—those who have the courage to create, innovate, and invest in Eswatini,” he said.
As he concluded his remarks, the Minister expressed deep gratitude to the development partners, investors, and business leaders supporting Eswatini’s economic vision. He said their collaboration continued to demonstrate confidence in the nation’s potential and its commitment to inclusive growth.
In a moment of pride for the Ministry, Khumalo invited His Excellency, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, to officially open the conference, describing him as a visionary leader whose commitment to economic transformation and empowerment had inspired many EmaSwati to believe in the power of enterprise.
Through the MSME Conference 2025, the Government signalled a renewed dedication to nurturing innovation, strengthening local industries, and creating a future where every entrepreneur has the opportunity to thrive. The event served as a powerful reminder that with unity, resilience, and collaboration, Eswatini’s economy could continue to grow stronger and more inclusive for generations to come.
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