GOVERNMENT has set an ambitious target of exceeding E50 billion in exports by 2030.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo expressed belief that the United Kingdom (UK) could play a key role in making that possible.
He was speaking during the Eswatini–UK Business Forum held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini yesterday.
The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, and industry stakeholders from both countries to discuss how local businesses could benefit from bilateral trade and investment cooperation between Eswatini and the UK.
The UK was cited as the second-largest and one of the key export destinations for Eswatini. The meeting also highlighted the importance of strategic trade and investment cooperation amid a challenging global economic environment.
Khumalo noted that Eswatini and the UK enjoy long-standing and historic relations, ties that have evolved beyond diplomacy to encompass meaningful collaboration in trade, investment, education, and development.
He said the forum was an important milestone in deepening relations and ensuring they translated into tangible commercial partnerships, expanded trade flows, and sustainable investment outcomes for both nations.
The minister observed that the global trading environment was characterised by uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and shifting economic alliances creating challenges and, in some cases, dampening business confidence.
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He said the forum sent a powerful message of optimism and resilience, demonstrating that open, rules-based trade and strategic partnerships remained vital instruments for economic growth and shared prosperity.
“Trade agreements such as the Southern African Customs Union plus Mozambique Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom (SACU+M–UK EPA) have created a predictable and preferential framework that benefits all participating countries.
“For Eswatini, these arrangements provide critical opportunities to expand exports, diversify markets, and strengthen our industrial base.
“The economic agreement aligns closely with the national ambition to drive inclusive economic growth through exports. Government has set an ambitious target of exceeding E50 billion in exports by the year 2030. Trade and investment are central pillars for government’s Programme of Action (PoA), recognised as key drivers of job creation, industrialisation, and economic transformation,” said Khumalo.
He added that the UK remained among the top 10 export destinations for local products, benefiting from preferential access under the SACU+M Economic Partnership Agreement.
The minister urged the business community to actively pursue market diversification and to fully exploit the vast opportunities offered by the UK market, which serves a population of nearly 70 million consumers and presents strong demand for high-quality, sustainably produced goods.
He noted that trade was currently dominated by a limited number of exporters and products, despite encouraging growth in exports to the UK.
Khumalo encouraged the British High Commission and its partner agencies to consider programmes aimed at capacitating local businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to take full advantage of the UK market.
He reiterated that Eswatini remained open for business, highlighting attractive investment opportunities across sectors including agro-processing, manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, and services.
The minister revealed that government was deliberately working to create a conducive, predictable, and investor-friendly environment.
He said the ministry and the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) were ready to support investors and committed to providing information, facilitation, and aftercare services to ensure successful trade and investment engagements.
Khumalo further urged the business community to seize opportunities to expand markets and partnerships to unlock the full potential of Eswatini–UK trade and investment relations.
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He noted that the World Bank Business Ready Report of 2025 ranked Eswatini as the 10th best-performing country in Africa on business reforms such as business registration, regulatory efficiency, and investor facilitation.
“A flagship initiative in this regard is the establishment of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS), designed to streamline investor registration and significantly reduce the time and cost of setting up a business in Eswatini.
“We are therefore encouraged that the UK delegation includes agencies that are actively exploring business and investment opportunities in our economy. We see this as a strong foundation for mutually beneficial partnerships,” Khumalo stated.
