AGP Executive Report

Patent & Public Health: PATAM and Third World Network filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging Gilead’s HIV patent application, arguing earlier disclosures undermine novelty and inventive step—an issue that could affect protection across ARIPO contracting states including Eswatini. Creative Industries: NACA chairperson Thamsanqa “KrTC” Sibandze says the 2026 awards will shift from just recognising talent to actively developing artists, with categories rising from 45 to 55 under the theme “From Recognition to Development.” Mobile & Digital Payments: MTN Mobile Money is pushing MoMo API adoption to help businesses build new revenue streams, with healthcare flagged as a key beneficiary sector. Retail & Local Manufacturing: Spar is leaning harder into own-brand labels to lift margins, citing the need for better integration of its private-label manufacturing assets. Regional Trade & Standards: Eswatini’s Competition Commission and Standards Authority are being urged to strengthen enforcement so SMEs can compete fairly against large firms. Regional Policy & Food Security: Rural women smallholder farmers are calling for governments to put women at the centre of food and climate policy as hunger and climate shocks intensify across Southern Africa.

Patent & Access: PATAM and Third World Network filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging Gilead Sciences’ broad HIV integrase inhibitor patent, arguing earlier disclosures and prior science undermine novelty and inventive step—potentially affecting patent rights across ARIPO’s 21 contracting states including Eswatini. Creative Industries: KrTC (Thamsanqa ‘KrTC’ Sibandze) was unveiled as the new NACA chair, with NACA 2026 shifting from just recognition to artist development, expanding categories to 55 under the theme “From Recognition to Development.” Competition & SME Growth: Eswatini’s Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo urged ESCC and ESWASA to help level the playing field for SMEs, warning that large firms can crowd out smaller traders and stressing the need for empowered institutions. Digital Payments: MTN Mobile Money API training encouraged developers to build revenue-generating apps using MoMo payments, with healthcare flagged as a key sector for direct digital transactions. Regional Trade Talks: South Africa’s CTICC2 will host major SACU meetings from 18–26 June, bringing together Eswatini and others to discuss customs and ways to strengthen intra-regional trade. Food & Climate Policy: The Rural Women’s Assembly called for governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy, citing their role in resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa.

Migration & Border Security: South Africa’s migration crackdown has surged, with more than 40,000 foreign nationals arrested since the start of 2026 and 7,400 arrests in the past month, as the Inter-Ministerial Committee pushes a five-point plan on border control, rule of law, anti-corruption and legislative tightening. Regional Trade & Industry Coordination: South Africa will host major SACU meetings at CTICC2 from 18–26 June, bringing together heads of state, ministers and officials from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa to discuss customs and ways to boost intra-regional trade. Local Business & Competition: Eswatini’s Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo says big firms can crowd out SMEs, urging ESCC and ESWASA to strengthen enforcement and standards so smaller players can compete fairly. Digital Payments Growth: MTN is pushing Mobile Money API integration to help developers build new revenue services, with healthcare flagged as a key sector for direct payments through apps. Fashion & Retail Momentum: Eswatini fashion got a global spotlight at the MTN Bushfire Festival as local designers were showcased, while Spar eyes higher margins by expanding private-label products. Food & Climate Pressure: Rural women smallholder farmers across Southern Africa, including Eswatini, are calling for governments to put women at the centre of food and climate policy to build resilient food systems.

Parliamentary Heat on Leadership: Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini’s motion adds to a growing chorus of MPs questioning Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s governance and budget decisions, with earlier disputes including an E400 million spending row. Mobile Sales Push: Eswatini Mobile’s chairman and CEO praised the sales team during quarterly refresher training at Inyatsi House, urging customer-first service as the company targets growth and private-sector innovation. Competition & Standards Focus: Commerce, Industry and Trade minister Manqoba Khumalo says the Eswatini Competition Commission and Eswatini Standards Authority must help SMEs compete fairly against large firms, including monitoring post-acquisition contractor impacts. SACU Trade Meetings: South Africa’s CTICC2 will host major SACU heads-of-state and ministerial sessions from 18–26 June, with Eswatini among expected participants to strengthen regional customs and trade links. Science & Innovation Cooperation: Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to work with South Africa on higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including plans for a SADC University of Technology. Digital Payments for Business: MTN encouraged developers to use MoMo API tech to create new revenue streams, including healthcare payments through digital platforms. Agriculture & Food Security Pressure: Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa met Eswatini princes amid collapsing farms and drought, but observers noted no clear deals or timelines for farmers. Policy Dialogue for Women Farmers: Southern Africa’s Rural Women’s Assembly urged governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy, with delegates including Eswatini.

Mobile & Digital Growth: MTN says it will target R30 billion in AI-driven value over the next three to five years, starting with “AI Inside” efficiency before scaling riskier B2C and B2B offerings. Retail & Manufacturing: Spar is pushing harder into own-brand labels to lift margins, with CEO Reeza Isaacs pointing to the need for better integration of its private-label business. Fashion & Creative Industries: Eswatini’s local designers took centre stage at the MTN Bushfire Festival as a communications manager wore three curated looks to spotlight homegrown craftsmanship on a global platform. Science, Skills & Innovation: South Africa’s Blade Nzimande urged stronger SADC cooperation in science, technology and innovation, while Eswatini’s PM Russell Mmiso Dlamini reaffirmed ties with SA on higher education, research, innovation and ICT. Trade & Regional Integration: CTICC2 in Cape Town will host major SACU meetings from 18–26 June, focusing on customs and ways to strengthen intra-regional trade. Agriculture & Food Security: Rural women smallholder farmers are calling for governments to put them at the centre of food and climate policy to build resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa. Energy & Infrastructure: South Africa’s electricity sector is shifting toward more flexible, cost-efficient renewable projects as market rules and private offtake deals expand. Business Services: MTN MoMo API training is encouraging developers to build new payment-enabled services, including in healthcare. Policy & Competition: Eswatini’s competition and standards bodies are being urged to help SMEs compete fairly against large firms.

Fashion & Local Industry: At the MTN Bushfire Festival, Eswatini’s fashion talent took centre stage as media personality Phiwo Dhlamini wore three curated local looks, spotlighting designers, stylists and accessories makers on a global runway. Mobile & Sales Growth: Eswatini Mobile’s chairman and CEO praised the sales team during quarterly refresher training, urging customer-first service as the company pushes to become Africa’s leading integrated business partner. Retail Margins: SPAR is doubling down on private-label products to lift margins and growth, with own-brand currently at about 22% of sales and a target closer to 30%. Science, Innovation & Skills: South Africa’s Blade Nzimande urged stronger S&T cooperation across Africa, backing Eswatini’s push for higher education, research, innovation and ICT partnerships. Digital Payments: MTN Mobile Money API training is encouraging developers to build revenue-generating apps, including healthcare payments through mobile platforms. Trade & Standards: Eswatini’s Competition Commission and Standards Authority were highlighted as key to helping SMEs compete fairly against larger firms, with calls for stronger legislation and resources. Food & Climate Policy: Rural women smallholder farmers were urged to lead food and climate policy, with Eswatini among countries represented in regional dialogues.

Private Sector Sales Push: Eswatini Mobile’s chairman and CEO praised over 150 sales staff during quarterly refresher training at Inyatsi House, stressing customer-first service as the key to growth and private sector development. Retail Margins Strategy: Spar is leaning harder into own-brand labels to lift margins and regain momentum, with private label now a major growth lever after earlier integration gaps. Science & Innovation Drive: South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande urged stronger S&T cooperation across Africa at Eswatini’s National Science Month launch, linking science to closing the digital divide and tackling climate, health and food insecurity. Regional Trade Governance: CTICC2 in Cape Town will host key SACU meetings, including the SACU Summit and Council of Ministers, as member states push customs and trade cooperation. Food & Climate Policy: Rural Women’s Assembly calls for women smallholder farmers to be central in food and climate policy, with Eswatini among participating countries. Digital Payments for Growth: MTN encouraged developers to use Mobile Money API tech to create new revenue streams, including in healthcare payments. Competition & Standards: Eswatini’s Commerce minister says ESCC and ESWASA must help SMEs compete fairly against large firms, including through better monitoring of acquisitions and contracted workers. Higher Education Cooperation: Eswatini and South Africa reaffirmed plans to deepen collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including work toward a SADC University of Technology. Green Entrepreneurship: GreenCape’s Afri GreenPitch Challenge invites Eswatini green SMEs to pitch for funding to scale solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste and water management.

SACU Trade Talks at CTICC2: South Africa’s Cape Town will host major Southern African Customs Union meetings from 18–26 June 2026, with Eswatini among expected attendees, focusing on customs policy and boosting cross-border trade. Eswatini–Zimbabwe Agriculture Diplomacy: President Mnangagwa met Eswatini princes and the agriculture minister, but sources say no funding or timelines were announced as farms face drought and input shortages. Competition & Standards for SMEs: Eswatini’s Commerce minister says the Competition Commission and Standards Authority must help smaller businesses compete fairly against larger firms, including scrutiny of contracted workers during acquisitions. China Tariff Exclusion Explained: Analysis argues Eswatini’s lack of a Chinese embassy limits market access and follow-through needed to turn preferential tariffs into real exports. Higher Education Cooperation: Eswatini and South Africa pledged deeper collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including plans for a SADC University of Technology. ENPF Board Deadlock: Housing minister Apollo Maphalala defended the appointment of Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba to the ENPF board amid a seven-month impasse over nomination authority. Digital Payments Push: MTN encouraged developers to use Mobile Money API tech to create new revenue streams, with healthcare flagged as a key use case. Shared Water Security: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique met under INMACOM to strengthen governance of the Incomati and Maputo river basins for food security and climate resilience. Monetary Policy Caution: Eswatini’s central bank reiterated a measured stance on inflation shocks, keeping the discount rate steady while monitoring imported pressures. Green Enterprise Funding Call: Green entrepreneurs across the region, including Eswatini, are invited to pitch in the 2026 Afri GreenPitch Challenge for green-economy SME scaling support.

Food & Climate Policy: The Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) urged governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy, saying rural women already hold practical solutions for resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa, with Eswatini among the delegations. Competition & SME Access: Eswatini’s Commerce ministry says large firms can crowd out small businesses, calling on the Eswatini Competition Commission and Eswatini Standards Authority to help SMEs compete fairly through stronger mandates and resources. Central Banking & Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini reiterated a cautious monetary stance amid inflation shocks, while also reporting gold reserves worth E195 million and reserve levels aimed at protecting external stability. Agriculture & Trade Links: Eswatini and South Africa reaffirmed cooperation in higher education, science, innovation and ICT, with plans for knowledge-based industries and regional tech capacity. Water Security: Eswatini’s Natural Resources minister stressed that shared river management with South Africa and Mozambique is now an economic necessity, not just an environmental duty, under INMACOM. Industry & Business Updates: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa appointed a new Namibia GM, and UD Trucks Southern Africa convened its 2026 importer and dealer conference to align network growth plans across Africa.

Food & Agriculture: Rural women smallholder farmers are urging governments to put women at the centre of food and climate policy, arguing they already hold solutions for resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa, with Eswatini among participating countries. Trade & Standards: Eswatini’s Competition Commission and Standards Authority are being pushed to help SMEs compete fairly against large firms, with lawmakers stressing stronger mandates, resources and monitoring of contracted workers after acquisitions. Finance & Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it’s keeping a cautious monetary stance amid imported inflation, while also reporting gold reserves worth E195 million and reserve levels aimed at protecting external stability. Digital & Payments: MTN Mobile Money is encouraging developers to use MoMo APIs to create new revenue streams, including business-to-customer payments and sector apps such as healthcare. Industry & Business Growth: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa appoints a new GM in Namibia, while UD Trucks Southern Africa convenes importers and dealers across the region to align strategy and expand growth. Water & Development: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique are strengthening cooperation on shared Incomati and Maputo watercourses, linking water governance to agriculture, energy and climate resilience. Logistics & Transport: DR Congo’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol could unlock cheaper private rail finance across the SADC network, with potential opportunities for regional manufacturers. Green Entrepreneurship: GreenCape and partners invite Eswatini green SMEs to pitch for the 2026 Afri GreenPitch Challenge, targeting market-ready solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management. Regional Security & Labour: A crackdown on undocumented workers and a textile factory employer in South Africa highlights ongoing labour compliance pressure across the region.

Retail Expansion: vida e caffè marked a major milestone with the opening of its 400th store in Cape Town, growing from a single Kloof Street café in 2001 into a pan-African coffee and lifestyle brand with outlets across Eswatini and other Southern African markets. Poultry & Food Supply: Namibia reported 6.9 million chickens marketed in April 2026, up 12.3% year-on-year, while egg marketing rose 27.5%—signals of resilient demand and shifting import patterns. Trade & Tariffs: A commentary on Eswatini’s missed China preferential tariff framework points to gaps in institutional trade support, including the absence of a China embassy in Mbabane, limiting market access follow-through. Digital Payments: MTN encouraged developers to use Mobile Money (MoMo) APIs to build new revenue streams, with healthcare highlighted as a key sector for app-based payments. Eswatini Finance & Resilience: The Central Bank of Eswatini kept a cautious monetary stance amid inflation shocks and reported gold reserves worth E195 million, while warning reserves remain closely monitored. Regional Water Security: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique reaffirmed cooperation on shared rivers through INMACOM, linking water management to food security and economic resilience. AI Skills for Government: Eswatini Revenue Service signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy via the UNESWA AI Academy. Creative Industry Funding: ESWACOS launched a fund for creativity and artist development with grants up to E5,000, drawing mixed reactions over the size of support. Business & Transport: Airlink moved to fill Compair slots on Zimbabwe routes, including increased flights into Harare, supporting tourism recovery.

Poultry & Food Supply: Namibia’s poultry market shows momentum, with 6.9 million chickens marketed in April 2026 (up 12.3% year-on-year) and egg marketing rising to 41.9 million units (up 27.5%), while poultry imports fell 11.4% to 7.1 million kg—Poland and Brazil remain the biggest suppliers. Digital Payments for Business: MTN says its Mobile Money API is opening new revenue paths for developers and firms, enabling app-based payments and transactions, with healthcare flagged as a key early beneficiary. Trade & Tariffs (Eswatini-China): A new analysis argues Eswatini’s exclusion from China’s preferential tariff framework is driven less by politics and more by missing institutional trade support—specifically, China’s lack of an embassy presence in Mbabane. Regional Infrastructure Finance: DR Congo’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol strengthens the legal basis for financing rail rolling stock across SADC, with Eswatini listed among countries considering adoption. Water & Agriculture Resilience: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique are pushing coordinated management of shared Incomati and Maputo river basins through INMACOM to support food security and climate preparedness. Monetary Policy: The Central Bank of Eswatini keeps a cautious stance, maintaining the discount rate at 6.75% and avoiding aggressive hikes amid imported inflation pressures. AI Skills for Government Revenue: ERS and the University of Eswatini launch an AI literacy programme to train 650 ERS employees through UNESWA’s AI Academy. Creative Industry Funding: ESWACOS rolls out a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development with grants up to E5,000, drawing mixed reactions over the size of support. Labour & Compliance: A separate report highlights enforcement actions against labour violations in a textile factory, including arrests of undocumented workers and the employer.

US-Africa Influence Watch: A new analysis asks whether Washington is still a strategic partner in Africa or shifting to a narrower, more transactional approach tied to migration control and minerals access. Wildlife & Trade Enforcement: Court cases traced a pipeline of illegal rhino horn from southern Africa into China, showing how trafficking routes keep adapting even as poaching trends fluctuate. Digital Economy & Fraud: Rwanda’s fraud rates fell in 2025, but the risk moved “upstream” to identity and account creation—an alert for digital services across the region. Education & Innovation Links: Eswatini and South Africa renewed cooperation on higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including plans for a SADC University of Technology. Customs & Trade Rules: WCO-backed training is building national pools of rules-of-origin experts to help countries use free trade agreements correctly. Green Enterprise Funding: Green entrepreneurs in eSwatini can apply for the Afri GreenPitch Challenge to pitch scalable circular economy, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture solutions. Central Bank Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it has added gold reserves worth E195 million while keeping a cautious stance on inflation pressures. Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warns some food prices may rise as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers. Water Security for Growth: Eswatini’s minister stresses shared-river cooperation with South Africa and Mozambique as key to energy, farming and climate resilience. AI Skills for Government: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy. Creative Sector Funding: ESWACOS launched a fund for creativity and artist development, offering grants up to E5,000—sparking debate over whether it’s enough. Labour & Migration Enforcement (Region): A crackdown in South Africa targeted undocumented workers at a textile factory, underlining ongoing pressure on labour compliance and migration. Energy & Engineering (Regional): South Africa’s grid-connection push highlights NECRT solutions as renewable projects scale.

Higher Education & Innovation: Eswatini’s PM Russell Mmiso Dlamini met South Africa’s Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande, reaffirming plans to deepen cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including support for the proposed SADC University of Technology. Trade Facilitation: With WCO backing, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and others have been trained as origin-determination “trainers of trainers” under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme to help firms use preferential trade rules correctly. Green Entrepreneurship: GreenCape and partners invite Eswatini green SMEs to pitch in the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge, targeting scalable solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste and water management. Financial Integrity: SADC finance officials urged stronger anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism financing cooperation; only Angola, Botswana and Eswatini have signed the 2025 agreement so far. Local Industry Skills: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy, using the UNESWA AI Academy to support responsible digital transformation. Creative Sector Funding: ESWACOS launched a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development offering grants up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and other copyright-linked projects.

SADC Finance Integrity: Botswana’s acting finance minister urged SADC to tighten collaboration against money laundering and terrorist financing, noting vulnerabilities tied to imports, weak diversification and external shocks—only Angola, Botswana and Eswatini have signed the 2025 anti-money laundering agreement. Central Banking & Reserves: Eswatini’s central bank kept a cautious stance amid inflation shocks and said it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, with reserves at E8.8bn (about two months of import cover). Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warned consumers may face higher prices as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers, with some cost pass-through expected in categories like mayonnaise. Regional Water Security: Eswatini’s natural resources minister said shared river management is now an economic necessity, linking cooperation to energy, farming output and climate resilience. Aviation & Connectivity: Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority and SASO ran an ICAO workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings to support safer, trade-friendly air infrastructure. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opened applications for a creativity and artist development fund offering up to E5,000 per project, as creatives debate whether the amounts are enough. AI Skills for Revenue Service: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy.

Child Nutrition Drive: Deputy PM Thulisile Dladla, MP Mduduzi Matsebula and Eswatini Mobile CEO Sydney Sichula visited Mahlatsini Neighbourhood Care Point, distributing food packs to orphaned and vulnerable children and highlighting the NCP’s growth from “under a tree” support to a structured care centre. Climate Risk & Preparedness: A new warning flags that El Niño conditions could build later in 2026, urging Eswatini to treat preparedness as an investment after the E3.8bn economic hit from past climate shocks. Monetary Policy Watch: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it will stay cautious amid inflation pressures, keeping the discount rate steady and using tools beyond interest-rate hikes to protect households. Reserves Update: CBE also reported gold reserves worth E195 million and noted reserves levels and import cover remain under close monitoring. Food & Consumer Costs: Tiger Brands warns some food prices may rise as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers, with cost pressures hardest in categories like mayonnaise. ENPF Board Dispute: Housing Minister Apollo Maphalala defended Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba’s ENPF board appointment amid a seven-month deadlock over nomination interpretation. Regional Water Security: Natural Resources Minister Prince Lonkhokhela stressed that shared rivers are key to economic growth, backing coordinated management under INMACOM for Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique. Aviation & Connectivity: ESWACAA and SASO ran an ICAO regional workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings, aimed at safer, more efficient air infrastructure. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opened applications for a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development, offering up to E5,000 per project for music, film, literature and related copyright work. AI Skills for Tax Staff: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees through an AI literacy programme, building capacity for digital transformation.