SIPHOFANENI – The bustling town of Siphofaneni welcomed a new chapter in local economic activity with the official opening of Hungry Lion at Siphofaneni Plaza.
This is a move government has hailed as a critical step in job creation and value-chain development.
The event, officiated by the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo yesterday, signalled not just the launch of a new fast-food outlet, but a deeper commitment to empowering local communities and businesses.
Planted
The store becomes the latest addition to the regional food franchise which has firmly planted roots across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In his keynote address, Minister Khumalo applauded Hungry Lion for demonstrating its continued confidence in the Kingdom of Eswatini’s investment climate. He underscored that investments like these are not merely about retail growth, but about tangible benefits to the national economy.
“Growth in one sector translates to growth in the economy of the country through employment creation, improvement of the livelihoods of the community and contribution to other economic activities,” Khumalo said.
The minister highlighted Hungry Lion’s commitment to hiring and training local staff, which he said would bring meaningful employment, especially to the youth of Siphofaneni and surrounding areas. He noted that the fast-food outlet’s approach aligns with government priorities outlined in the Eswatini Economic Recovery Roadmap.
“The employment opportunities that have been availed by the business have assisted workers to have a decent life and the ability to provide for their families’ needs,” he said.
Khumalo further revealed that the local franchise is part of the Elangeni Food Group, which includes Elangeni Poultry—the country’s largest and only FSSC 22000 V6 accredited chicken abattoir. This integration, he said, is a strong example of business models that foster local sourcing and reinforce the domestic value chain. “Hungry Lion has displayed their commitment to this endeavour by sourcing their meat and other products locally,” he added.
Emulate
The minister urged other businesses to emulate this model by forging alliances within their value-chains and supporting local suppliers. This, he said, is crucial for inclusive economic development and sustainable enterprise growth.
Having first opened in South Africa in 1997, Hungry Lion has expanded its presence to seven SADC countries: Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Angola. The brand currently operates 425 stores across the region, capitalising on preferential market access under the SADC Trade Protocol.
In Eswatini, Hungry Lion began operations in 1999, while Elangeni Food Group has been part of the national commercial landscape since 1994. Their continued growth, according to Khumalo, is a testament to business resilience and a clear commitment to regional economic integration.
Minister Khumalo reaffirmed government’s role in nurturing a conducive investment climate, saying the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade—alongside other government agencies—remain focused on enabling the private sector to thrive.
Belief
“It is my belief that with effective and expedited efforts per the Economic Recovery Roadmap and the Programme of Action, we will see more private sector entities such as Hungry Lion benefitting from an environment that enables such growth,” he said.
In closing, Khumalo expressed government’s gratitude for the positive contributions the business continues to make to the national economy and officially declared the Siphofaneni branch open.
Residents of Siphofaneni flocked to the store to mark the launch, with many celebrating the convenience, new job opportunities and the promise of growth it brings to their town.
“We’re excited that big brands are finally recognising Siphofaneni. It gives hope that our youth will find work and our town will keep developing,” said a local resident.
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