MBABANE – In a bold move to elevate local enterprise and brand credibility, government has officially announced the licensing of the Made in Eswatini logo to qualified producers and manufacturers.
This is a development expected to revolutionise the visibility, competitiveness and market trust in locally made products. Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo made the announcement during the 2025 Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards held at Brackenhill Lodge in Mbabane on Friday evening.
Addressing the audience of entrepreneurs, diplomats and business leaders, the minister said the logo will only be licensed to businesses that already possess the Certificate of Origin from the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) — a move aimed at ensuring quality assurance and product traceability.
“The Made in Eswatini logo is a trademarked national symbol of authenticity and excellence,” said Khumalo. “Today, we officially announce its licensing to distinguished producers and manufacturers. We urge more businesses to step forward, meet the standards and join the movement.”
It has been said for a while now that Eswatini needed a strong national mark to compete with neighbouring countries. South Africa’s ‘Proudly South African’ label has successfully become a symbol of quality and national pride, giving its products a competitive edge in both domestic and export markets.
Minister Khumalo emphasised that the Made in Eswatini logo is designed to serve a similar purpose.
“We are aligning Eswatini with global and regional best practices. The Made in Eswatini logo will allow our products to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with brands from countries that have successfully used national certification marks to promote local manufacturing and exports,” he said.
Khumalo reaffirmed government’s strong support for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, noting its pivotal role in job creation, industrialisation and entrepreneurship.
“The MSME sector is very close to my heart — it is the backbone of our economy,” the minister emphasised. “Through the MSME Policy we launched earlier this year, we have made it clear that small businesses are not peripheral but central to Eswatini’s future economic development.”
Referencing the recently held Global SME Ministerial in Johannesburg, Khumalo aligned Eswatini’s trajectory with global best practices, particularly in access to finance, green competitiveness and digital transformation. These pillars, he said, are also embedded in the Made in Eswatini initiative.
The Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards — under the theme ‘Creating the Future’ — were praised for encouraging a shift in consumer behaviour and showcasing the commercial strength of local brands.
Full story can be found in today’s paper.
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