As Eswatini joins the global community in celebrating the 2025 International Day of Co-operatives, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade takes this opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s unwavering commitment to the growth, regulation, and empowerment of the co-operative sector in the Kingdom.
This year’s theme, “Co-operatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World,” could not be more fitting. Co-operatives in Eswatini have long been an engine for shared prosperity—empowering communities, reducing poverty, promoting youth and women participation, and strengthening local economies through collective effort.
The Role of Government in the Co-operative Movement
The Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, serves as the line ministry responsible for safeguarding the interests and welfare of co-operatives in Eswatini. Far beyond a regulatory function, the Ministry plays a pivotal developmental and facilitative role, ensuring that the environment for co-operative growth remains enabling, inclusive, and sustainable.
This support is grounded in the National Co-operative Development Policy (2017), which outlines Government’s strategic vision: “To have autonomous, sustainable and well-managed co-operatives that cater for members’ needs through meaningful economic activity that contributes to national development.” Across the Kingdom of Eswatini, the co-operative movement continues to grow steadily, with a notable rise in the registration of youth-led co-operatives, community-based initiatives, and rural savings and credit societies (SACCOS). These co-operatives are playing a transformative role—particularly in underserved and marginalized areas—by empowering communities to pool resources, generate income, and build sustainable livelihoods. From remote rural settings to peri-urban zones, co-operatives have become powerful tools for economic inclusion, offering young people and vulnerable groups a pathway toward self-reliance, shared prosperity, and community development.
A Strong Legal and Regulatory Framework
A thriving co-operative movement requires clear rules and supportive oversight. The Co-operative Societies Act No. 5 of 2003 provides the legislative backbone for the sector. It ensures that co-operatives operate transparently, democratically, and in alignment with internationally recognised values such as self-help, equality, equity, and solidarity.
Complementing this is a robust regulatory structure led by the Co-operative Development Department, which works directly with co-operatives across the country.
Their role includes:
• Registration and licensing of co-operative societies;
• Training and capacity building;
• Auditing and monitoring of financial performance;
• Conflict resolution and governance oversight.
Through these functions, the Department promotes accountability, good governance, and long-term sustainability of co-operatives—while also serving as a direct link between co-operatives and government programmes.
Aligning with Global Development Goals
The Kingdom of Eswatini is fully aligned with international development agendas, notably the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063—“The Africa We Want.”
Co-operatives are practical vehicles through which many of these goals are realised:
• No Poverty & Decent Work (SDG 1 & 8): Co-operatives provide jobs and support self-employment.
• Gender Equality (SDG 5): Women are increasingly taking leadership roles in co-operatives.
• Youth Empowerment (Agenda 2063): The Government is actively promoting youth-led co-operatives through education and entrepreneurship support.
• Climate Action & Sustainability (SDG 13): Agricultural co-operatives are adopting green practices that support long-term resilience.
In fact, Eswatini’s co-operative model is uniquely placed to respond to challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and rural underdevelopment by providing scalable, community-driven solutions.
Education, Capacity Building, and Financial Support
A major challenge facing co-operatives is limited business management skills, especially among new or rural co-operatives. Recognising this, the Government continues to invest in co-operative education and training through the Co-operative Development Centre (CODEC) and regional training workshops.
In addition, co-operatives are eligible for financial support mechanisms such as the Co-operative Match Grant Fund (CMGF), which offers capital support to viable and strategic initiatives.
Special focus has also been placed on youth and women empowerment, with dedicated programmes encouraging the formation of youth co-operatives and ensuring gender-inclusive participation in leadership and governance.
Promoting Innovation, ICT, and Market Access
As the world rapidly digitalises, co-operatives in Eswatini are being encouraged and supported to adopt information and communication technology (ICT) in their operations.
Whether through computerised accounting systems, mobile banking, or online marketing platforms, the Government is promoting innovation to help co-operatives stay competitive.
Efforts are also underway to improve access to local and regional markets. Through partnerships with the private sector and regional bodies such as SADC and COMESA, co-operatives are gaining exposure and exploring opportunities for cross-border trade and regional integration.
Co-operation Among Co-operatives and Stakeholder Collaboration
Co-operatives are strongest when they work together. The principle of Co-operation among co-operatives remains central to the Government’s strategy.
National unions such as SASCCO (Savings and Credit) and SWAFCU (Farmers) continue to play a vital role in uniting member co-operatives, providing oversight, and strengthening internal networks.
The Ministry also works closely with development partners, donors, and NGOs to bring in technical and financial support, enhance training efforts, and pilot innovative models that can be scaled across the country.
Looking Ahead: Inclusive and Sustainable Co-operative Growth
As Eswatini celebrates the 2025 International Day of Co-operatives, the Ministry calls upon all co-operative leaders, members, and partners to reflect on the gains made—and the journey ahead.
This year’s theme reminds us that co-operatives are more than just business enterprises. They are community-driven solutions to today’s challenges, from unemployment and inequality to climate change and food insecurity.
The Government remains committed to:
• Strengthening policy and legal frameworks;
• Supporting capacity building and innovation;
• Mobilising resources for growth;
• Enhancing monitoring and governance;
• Ensuring no co-operative is left behind.
A Call to Co-operators and Stakeholders
We encourage every co-operative in Eswatini—whether long-established or newly formed—to embrace innovation, uphold good governance, and take advantage of available government and stakeholder support.
Let us build a co-operative movement that reflects the values of unity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
Together, we can realise the full potential of co-operatives in driving inclusive and sustainable solutions—for a better Eswatini, a better Africa, and a better world.
Issued by:
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade
Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini
International Co-operative Day Supplement – July 2025
International Year of Co-operatives 2025 Supplement | View Here
