MBABANE – Eswatini has been ranked 10th best-performing country in Africa in the World Bank’s latest Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 report.
This cements the kingdom’s position as one of the continent’s leading reformers in improving the business environment.
Eswatini’s impressive ranking as the 10th best-performing country in Africa in the World Bank’s B-READY 2025 report has been driven by wide-ranging reforms.
These reforms were undertaken across government institutions, the private sector and utility companies, according to the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo.
The minister said improvements in business registration, dispute resolution, trade facilitation, digital services and infrastructure connections were central to the kingdom’s strong performance under the new Business Ready (B-READY) framework.
“A lot of improvements have been made by EIPA, the Office of the Registrar of Companies, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Eswatini Revenue Service, Business Eswatini and our utility companies in particular,” Khumalo said.
He described the establishment of the Business One-Stop Shop as a major milestone that has simplified processes for investors and entrepreneurs, making it easier to start and operate businesses in Eswatini.
“The establishment of the Business One Stop Shop is a significant milestone,” he said.
Khumalo said the creation of both the Commercial Court and the Small Claims Court had strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms for the business community.
“The establishment of both the Commercial Court and the Small Claims Court is phenomenal for dispute resolution in business,” he said.
He noted that efficient and reliable dispute resolution systems are essential for building investor confidence, ensuring contract enforcement and protecting the rights of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Another major contributor to Eswatini’s strong B-READY performance has been the digitisation of the business registry, coupled with amendments to relevant legislation.
Khumalo said these reforms have significantly improved the time, efficiency and cost of registering a business.
“The digitisation of the business registry, together with amending the relevant legislation, has improved the time, efficiency and cost of registration,” he said.
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… boosting cross-border trade
MBABANE – Trade facilitation reforms have also played a key role in Eswatini’s B-READY success.
Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo singled out the work of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), which brings together the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Business Eswatini and the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS).
“I also want to single out the remarkable collaboration between my ministry, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Business Eswatini and Eswatini Revenue Service under the NTFC project, which has continued to drive cross-border efficiencies,” said the minister for Commerce.
These reforms have improved customs processes, reduced delays at borders and made it easier for businesses to import and export goods. According to Khumalo, Eswatini’s success under the B-READY framework reflects a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to reform.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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