MBABANE – The Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, has secured renewed assurance of continued investment into Eswatini’s sugar sector following high-level engagements with ABF Sugar executives in London.
The minister met with ABF Sugar CEO Paul Kenward on the sidelines of the 34th International Sugar Conference (ISO), where the Group CEO reaffirmed ABF Sugar’s commitment to long-term investment, sustainable growth and deeper collaboration with Eswatini.
The meeting was attended by Ubombo Sugar Managing Director Muzi Siyaya, who is part of the Eswatini delegation to the ISO conference, alongside ABF Sugar Chief Financial Officer Lekani Katandula and Eswatini’s High Commissioner to the UK, Thandazile Mbuyisa.
The discussions underscored the strengthening ties between Eswatini and the United Kingdom, and the shared vision for expanding the country’s sugar industry.
Following the meeting, Kenward praised Minister Khumalo’s leadership, describing him as ‘a thoroughly modern minister and a true partner to our business in Eswatini, Ubombo Sugar Limited.’ He added: “Our two kingdoms in Europe and Africa have much in common and stand proudly together. Proud to be an investor in USL and Eswatini.”
Khumalo welcomed ABF Sugar’s ongoing efforts and emphasised that sustained private sector investment is key to supporting national development, increasing export earnings and advancing rural livelihoods.
“Eswatini values ABF Sugar’s long-standing partnership and the company’s contribution to economic growth, job creation and technological transformation,” he noted.
Ubombo Sugar Limited, a subsidiary of ABF Sugar, described the engagement as yet another milestone in a partnership that continues to shape Eswatini’s industrial and agricultural landscape.
Founded in 1956, Ubombo Sugar remains one of Eswatini’s most influential agro-industrial enterprises. The company produces approximately 265 000 tonnes of sugar annually and maintains strong relationships with diverse suppliers including large-, medium- and small-scale farmers, as well as technical partners such as engineering and automation firms.
As Ubombo has expanded, it has also moved into the energy sector with innovations in renewable power generation – positioning the company as a dual contributor to both sugar production and domestic energy resilience.
ABF recently published an update highlighting significant progress in its long-term growth strategy for the country. Central to this is a two-phase factory debottlenecking programme that will enable the Ubombo mill to process 20 per cent more cane.
According to ABF, these upgrades will allow Ubombo Sugar to increase production by an estimated 47 000 tonnes annually over the next five years.
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