Africa-Press – Eswatini. At the heart of Geneva’s diplomatic quarter, in the corridors of the International Labour Conference (ILC), a meeting of minds unfolded with far-reaching implications for Southern Africa.
The leadership of Business Eswatini (BE), President Mvuselelo Fakudze and CEO E. Nathi Dlamini, reconnected with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) head Khulekani Mathe, reaffirming a partnership grounded in regional prosperity.
This high-level dialogue builds on a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year at the Palais des Nations, with the continued support of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The renewed commitment in 2025 highlights a shared vision to strengthen economic cooperation, boost cross-border trade, and empower businesses in both nations.
“South Africa remains Eswatini’s largest trading partner,” said Fakudze. “This partnership goes beyond policy, it’s a strategic alliance that strengthens our business ecosystems.” He cited collaborative successes such as the presence of Standard Bank across both markets as proof of productive economic interdependence.
The leaders’ discussion also responded to current global trade concerns, particularly around emerging tariffs that threaten developing countries’ access to preferential trade terms. Fakudze emphasized that BE and BUSA must now, more than ever, lead the charge in regional advocacy to protect trade gains under SADC and WTO frameworks.
“We have the experience, the reach, and the shared will to act,” he declared.
BE CEO echoed this urgency, urging for more bilateral exchanges and capacity-building to uplift SMEs and larger enterprises alike. “Learning from each other can unlock real value for our members,” he noted, pledging BE’s readiness to scale collaboration efforts.
BUSA’s Mathe warmly reciprocated the commitment and accepted an invitation to visit Eswatini in early August for further engagements, a move poised to bring the MoU to life through actionable programs.
In a world facing economic headwinds, this partnership shines as a beacon of unity and progress. The growing cooperation between BE and BUSA sends a strong message: that shared vision and proactive engagement are the cornerstones of lasting regional development.
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