Business Eswatini (BE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) E.Nathi Dlamini has described the country to investors as one which remained resilience, admit global turmoil.
Speaking during the Eswatini Investment Conference dinner on Wednesday evening, Dlamini said the country’s economy, like many across Africa and the globe, had weathered its share of storms.
From economic downturns to climate catastrophes, and more pervasively, he said there were challenges of unexpected shifts in industry, trade and technology. “We have seen a plethora of challenges pummeling this country from all directions but somehow we have managed to keep forging ahead no matter what, even if it has meant limping our way to the finish line. You see, Eswatini has arguably one powerful advantage: resilience is in our DNA,” he said.
Dlamini emphasised that Eswatini had to transform the resilience into strategy that was measurable, inclusive, and a sustainable economic growth model that included everyone. He noted that the high rate of youth unemployment robbed the country of 37 per cent of its potential.
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The CEO said the country’s agenda should prioritise bridging the skills gap through technical and vocational education (TVET) programmes aligned with industries like renewable energy, information communication and Technology (ICT), and agribusiness. Tertiary academia need to ensure curricula meets market demands, creating pipelines from classrooms to factories, farms, and tech hubs. He noted that climate change threatened the country’s agriculture, water, and livelihoods.
Dlamini said a solution to that would be investing decisively in the green economy, especially into renewable energy, as Ubombo Sugar and others were doing. He said aligned with the Eswatini Energy Masterplan 2050, the country was already mobilising public-private partnerships to scale up solar, wind, and biomass projects.
“These initiatives will not only secure energy independence or diversify the economy but also create jobs, attract green investors, and position Eswatini as a regional leader in sustainability,” he said. Dlamini said exporting raw materials while importing finished goods was a cycle the country must begin to break.
“Our agenda calls for local value-chain ecosystems where farmers supply factories; and factories supply retailers; and retailers access regional markets via Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and African Continental Free Trade Area.,” he said.
The CEO said this could be accelerated by streamlining customs procedures, leveraging digital platforms like ASYCUDA for faster trade clearances, and establishing one-stop border posts to attract foreign direct investment.
A modern economy cannot thrive without robust ICT infrastructure. By fostering e-governance, fintech innovation, and digital skills training, the country aimed to position itself as a tech-savvy nation ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“To build investor confidence, BE is working with various ministries to ensure fair and transparent regulations. Simultaneously, we are pushing for an e-procurement system to eliminate corruption, ensure timely payments to suppliers, and promote competition, which is a win for both businesses and public trust,” he said.
He emphasised that these were not abstract ideas, but were commitments already etched into the advocacy agenda. “Let us remember resilience is about Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth numbers,” Dlamini said.
