Establishing businesses in Eswatini has been made easier, as government has established a Business One Stop Shop (BOSS).
The facility established by government through the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and other stakeholders is a centre where all agencies that are responsible for enabling investors to set up shop in the country in one roof.
This office which is established in Sibekelo Building in Mbabane will be streamlining access to permits, licenses, clearances, and registrations, in order to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve the efficiency of doing business in Eswatini.
The implementation of the one stop shop will be done in phases, first phase will consist of the hybrid model, encompassing a physical and online interface model.
As government rolls out the e-Government strategy across the country, they plan to go fully online in the future. Furthermore government will be incrementally adding other agencies and departments as time goes on to ensure that all approving institutions are under one roof.
During the launch event, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini emphasised the importance of the one stop shop in making investment in Eswatini a more enjoyable experience.
“This aligns with our vision for a business-ready environment, which is a top priority in our Government Programme of Action for 2024/25-2028/29,” he stated. Recognising the existing barriers to investment, the government had been proactive in identifying and addressing these challenges. The overhaul of the country’s legislative framework was aimed at enhancing service delivery to investors.
“The establishment of the one stop shop is a key component of the new Investment Policy and the Investment and Trade Promotion Bill, which are currently in advanced stages,” he said
Dlamini said the design and implementation one stop shop will expedite the approval process for work permits, licenses, clearances, and necessary registrations.
This initiative was expected to positively influence the World Bank B-Ready Index and the global competitive index, both of which assess the investor-friendly nature of economies.
He said the launch was a milestone in the country’s commitment to streamlining business approvals and expediting business processes.
The PM said the initiative responds directly to His Majesty’s King Mswati III call for a centralised and efficient service to better serve investors, a message reiterated during the State Opening of the 2nd Session of the 12th Parliament. He noted that coinciding with the launch was the country’s inaugural Eswatini Investment Conference, which aims to unite investors, policymakers, financiers, and other key economic players to stimulate mega investments and drive economic growth.The PM said just a month prior, government leaders and private sector representatives validated a mapping report that identified duplications in processes, paving the way for cutting red tape and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.
EIPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sibani Mngomezulu said they view the one stop shop as a national tool to deliver coordinated services to the business in line with government priorities for economic growth and development.
“Today is more than just the launch of a new office. It is a statement of our dedication to making government more accessible, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of the investors we serve,” he said.
He noted that for many the hurdles to move from one government door to another were a daunting task.
The process of securing permits, licenses, and approvals often involved navigating multiple offices, departments, and forms – a situation that not only discourages investment but also limits innovation and job creation. “With the one stop shop, we are changing that,” he said.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) assisted developing the one stop shop and was involved mapping of existing procedures and identifying potential hindrances and this process brought together a wide range of national institutions along with the private sector.
They explored how investment-related processes can be streamlined and made more efficient.
The target of the centre had been to facilitate investment to create jobs and spur economic and social development across economic sector.
