AGP Executive Report

Roads & Infrastructure: Eswatini Roads Authority has appointed Ndabenhle Nxumalo as CEO and Makhosazana Dlamini-Ginindza as CFO, a key step in operationalising the body responsible for planning, building and maintaining national roads. Investment: EIPA facilitated E1.85 billion in new projects and E170 million in expansions in the second quarter, with 147 jobs expected at full capacity. It also supported six exporters and recorded E3 million in potential export orders. Energy: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for its long-term energy mix, while stressing that strong institutions, laws, skills and safety systems must come first. Youth & Industry: EYEOP is offering young people agriculture support and construction training; selected trainees will receive six months of practical experience and a E1,500 monthly stipend. Public Finances: Government arrears have fallen to E2.7 billion, or 3.2% of GDP, but remain above the 2% target. Agriculture: A regional study found October planting produced the best yields for bambara groundnuts, offering farmers a way to diversify crops and strengthen food security.

Energy: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for its long-term electricity mix, with officials stressing that strong laws, institutions, safety measures and public trust must come before any development. Digital Services: ICT Minister Savannah Maziya joined African cybersecurity discussions on protecting increasingly connected government, business and financial systems. Jobs & Skills: EYEOP is offering young people farming support worth up to E10,000 and construction training, including six months of site experience and a monthly stipend. Applications close November 13. Agriculture: New research suggests planting bambara groundnuts in October can improve yields, offering farmers a climate-resilient alternative as water stress threatens staple crops. Trade & Investment: Eswatini’s sugar exports reached E4.2 billion, while Lavumisa is planning a 354-hectare industrial park. Public Finance: Government arrears have fallen to E2.7 billion, or 3.2% of GDP, but remain above the 2% target.

Energy: Eswatini is considering nuclear power as a long-term option, with officials stressing that strong laws, safety systems, skilled people and public trust must come before any development. Planning and Infrastructure: The housing minister warned that settlement growth along new rural roads could drive up the cost of providing services without national spatial planning. Tourism: Eswatini was South Africa’s fourth-largest source of overnight visitors in September, with 74,261 arrivals—an important regional market for tourism businesses. Industry and Trade: Lavumisa is planning a 354-hectare industrial park, while sugar exports reached E4.2 billion; EIPA and DHL are also working to prepare local MSMEs for export markets. Food Costs: Government gazetted a 4.23% increase in regulated bread prices after bakers cited higher production, fuel and transport costs.

Planning & Construction: Housing Minister Apollo Maphalala warned that building along new rural roads without spatial plans could create costly, poorly serviced settlements as the MR14 and MR21 corridors spur growth. Food Manufacturing: Government gazetted a 4.23% rise in regulated bread prices; bakers cited higher fuel, transport and production costs. Public Finances: Government arrears fell to E2.7 billion, or 3.2% of GDP, but remain above the 2% target, according to the AfDB. Trade & Exports: DHL and EIPA will train MSMEs in export readiness, customs and logistics. Eswatini’s exports reached E4.2 billion, boosted by sugar, according to a report this week. Industrial Development: Lavumisa plans a 354-hectare industrial park, according to the town’s CEO. Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and use short-season varieties as authorities warn that El Niño could bring dry spells and threaten harvests.

Energy Investment: Open-access power markets in parts of Africa are creating opportunities for private investors in generation, transmission and electricity trading, with contracted projects attracting interest. Financial Services: Eswatini’s FSRA awarded E15,000 to youth teams for skits promoting awareness of digital scams, after receiving 52 entries. Public Finance: Government arrears fell to E2.7 billion, or 3.2% of GDP, by March 2026, according to the AfDB; the programme target is 2%. Trade: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, led by sugar and soft-drink concentrates. Separately, EIPA and DHL will train local businesses in export readiness, customs and cross-border logistics. Industrial Development: Lavumisa is planning a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry. Food Prices: Government gazetted a 4.23% bread price increase, citing higher production and transport costs.

Trade: India says negotiations have begun with the Southern African Customs Union, which includes Eswatini, on a preferential trade agreement — a potential route to wider market access for local businesses. Consumer Finance: SBC Limited’s revenue fell 5.4% and its group loan book shrank 6.2% in the six months to June, though its Eswatini lending operation increased revenue and profit. Food Production: Government gazetted a 4.23% bread price increase after bakers cited higher fuel, transport and other operating costs. Export Readiness: EIPA and DHL will train MSMEs in market selection, customs and cross-border logistics, with the programme expected to start next month. Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and use fast-maturing seeds to make the most of available rain ahead of forecast dry spells. Industry and Exports: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, led by sugar and soft drink concentrates. Lavumisa is also planning a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry.

Food Prices: Government gazetted a 4.23% bread-price increase, with an 800g white loaf rising to E18.66. Bakers cited higher production, fuel and transport costs. Trade: India has begun trade negotiations with the Southern African Customs Union, including Eswatini, with a preferential trade agreement expected to take time. Exports: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, led by sugar and soft drink concentrates; the trade surplus reached E687.9 million. MSME Exports: DHL and EIPA will train local businesses in export readiness, customs and cross-border logistics, with the programme expected to start next month. Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and use fast-maturing seed as El Niño threatens prolonged dry spells and harvests. Industrial Development: Lavumisa plans a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry, with development to proceed in phases.

Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and choose quick-maturing varieties while rains hold, as a looming El Niño could bring dry spells and threaten crops. New regional research also warns that worsening rainfall swings can put livestock farmers’ livelihoods at risk. Export Growth: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million. Sugar shipments and soft-drink concentrates led the gains. DHL and EIPA are also preparing local small businesses to navigate export markets, customs and international shipping, with training due to start next month. Industrial Investment: Lavumisa Town Board is planning a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry, with development expected to be phased. Small Business Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups.

Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and choose fast-maturing crops as El Niño threatens prolonged dry spells and harvests. Export Readiness: EIPA and DHL will train local small businesses from next month in market selection, customs and export logistics. Trade: Eswatini’s September exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million; sugar shipments and soft-drink concentrates led growth. Industrial Investment: Lavumisa is pursuing a phased 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry. Agro-processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to address a local supply gap and support processors serving regional markets.

Infrastructure: Sinohydro representatives linked to the Mpakeni Dam joint venture have been jailed in Ecuador in a bribery case, raising questions around a major Eswatini project. Higher Education: King Mswati III called for a no-hungry-student programme at UNESWA, which needs E1 billion for modernisation and faces a shortage of student housing. Trade: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, lifted by sugar and soft-drink concentrate sales; the trade surplus reached E687.9 million. Industrial Growth: Lavumisa is pursuing a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry. Manufacturing: Matsapha textile producer Notsa Eswatini won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognised for scaling Swati fabrics and traditional attire. Small Business: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups, while Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo has called for a review of the E20,000 tax-compliance threshold facing small firms. Food Processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to address a local supply gap and support processors serving regional markets.

Infrastructure: Sinohydro, part of the joint venture contracted to build Mpakeni Dam, is under scrutiny after company representatives were imprisoned in an Ecuador bribery case. Trade: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million, with sugar shipments driving strong growth. Industrial Growth: Lavumisa plans a phased 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry. Local Manufacturing: Matsapha textile producer Notsa Eswatini won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognised for making Swati fabrics on a commercial scale. SME Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups. Business Climate: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo has called for a review of the E20,000 tax-compliance threshold, saying it can burden small businesses.

Industrial Investment: Lavumisa Town Board is planning a 354-hectare industrial park for manufacturing, processing and light industry, with development expected to roll out in phases. Pay and Productivity: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo says some companies lack formal salary structures, citing a gap between a CEO earning E280,000 and a lowest-paid worker taking home E3,500. Local Manufacturing: Matsapha textile maker Notsa Eswatini, which produces Swati attire and fabrics, won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award. Small Business Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups. Food Processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to address a local supply shortfall and support processors serving regional markets.

Pay and Productivity: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo says some companies lack formal salary structures, leaving pay gaps unchecked; he argues growth must benefit workers at the bottom as well as executives. Local Manufacturing: Matsapha textile maker Notsa Eswatini won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award for producing Swati fabrics and traditional attire at commercial scale. SME Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses, while Khumalo has called for a review of the E20,000 tax-compliance threshold, which small firms say can hinder growth. Agro-processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to address a supply shortfall and feed its processing industry, which serves regional markets. Growth Outlook: The economy grew 6.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, led by manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and ICT, but higher oil prices and a weaker Lilangeni are adding pressure.

Food Processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to meet a supply shortfall and support processors serving regional markets. Business Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups. Regional Retail: Famous Brands’ SADC revenue fell 18%, with weak Botswana sales weighing on results; it did not disclose separate Eswatini figures. Local Manufacturing: Matsapha-based Notsa Eswatini, which produces traditional attire and fabrics, won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year title. Business Climate: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo says the E20,000 tax-compliance certificate threshold should be reviewed over concerns it burdens small businesses. Energy: The IMF warns Eswatini’s electricity-sector risks could reach 13.9% of GDP under severe stress by 2031/32; the country imports nearly 80% of its power. Agriculture: Government and Taiwan are promoting aquaculture, including cage farming, to lift local fish production and reduce imports.

Honey Processing: Eswatini plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to address a local supply gap and feed processors serving Southern African markets. Small Business Finance: FNB Eswatini has revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups, alongside expanded support for entrepreneurship. Regional Freight: Mozambique is tendering railway operations to private companies to shift more cargo from roads to rail, a move with potential implications for Eswatini’s regional trade routes. Local Manufacturing: Matsapha-based textile maker Notsa Eswatini has won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award for producing Swati attire and fabrics at commercial scale. Energy Risks: An IMF study warns Eswatini’s electricity-sector risks could reach 13.9% of GDP under severe stress by 2031/32, raising concerns for public finances, energy security and business investment. Aquaculture: Government and Taiwan’s technical mission are promoting fish-farming methods to lift local production and reduce reliance on imports.

Regional Trade: Eswatini called for stronger COMESA cooperation as supply-chain disruption, higher fuel and shipping costs push up the price of essential goods. Leaders at the bloc’s summit focused on investment, industrialisation and regional integration. Manufacturing: Matsapha-based textile maker Notsa Eswatini won the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award for producing traditional fabrics at commercial scale. Small Business: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo backed a review of the E20,000 tax compliance threshold, which small businesses say can hinder growth. Economic Outlook: Eswatini’s economy grew 6.1% in the first quarter, led by manufacturing, mining and ICT, but higher oil prices, a weaker lilangeni and a wider trade deficit cloud the outlook. Energy: An IMF study warns electricity-sector risks could expose government finances to losses of up to 13.9% of GDP under severe stress by 2031/32, with import costs and drought among the pressures. Agriculture: Government and Taiwan’s technical mission are promoting aquaculture to boost local fish production and reduce reliance on imports. Digital Security: Eswatini was among 20 African countries in an INTERPOL operation that arrested 1,462 suspects and recovered more than $105 million in illicit funds.