MBABANE – The private sector has entered 2026 with renewed confidence, following a year that not only tested resilience, but also strengthened institutional maturity and stakeholder cooperation.
This sentiment was shared during the Business Eswatini Annual Reflections 2026 gathering held yesterday at Emafini, where business leaders reflected on 2025 and outlined expectations for the year ahead under the theme ‘King, Country, Business.’
Business Eswatini Vice President Anthony Geldard described 2025 as a year characterised by steady engagement rather than dramatic shifts, noting that the organisation remained focused on its core mandate of representing business interests, promoting dialogue and contributing meaningfully to national economic discussions.
He emphasised that consistency in engagement was crucial in a complex operating environment, adding that Business Eswatini maintained constructive relationships with government, labour and other stakeholders throughout the year.
Geldard highlighted the importance of a productive workforce, thanking organised labour for its partnership with the private sector.
He said industrial relations remained central to a harmonious business environment, particularly as the balance between business sustainability and workers’ welfare was tested in 2025.
Through continued engagement with labour and government, Business Eswatini advocated for stability, predictability and dialogue.
While challenges are expected to persist in 2026, he expressed hope that social partners would remain committed to resolving key issues through cooperation.
He also noted that sound industrial relations have become increasingly important for international market access, particularly in relation to trade initiatives such as AGOA.
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Eswatini’s global economic standing improving
MBABANE – Eswatini is on an upward trajectory on the global economic stage, driven by strong business reforms and improving investor confidence.
This was highlighted by Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo during the Business Eswatini Annual Reflections 2026 gathering.
The minister said the theme reflected the strong link between national leadership, economic success and the role of the private sector in driving growth.
He highlighted Eswatini’s strong performance in the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 Report, where the country ranked among the top 10 performers in Africa for ease of doing business. This achievement, he said, reflects the country’s commitment to improving its business environment.
Khumalo attributed the positive ranking to improvements in business registration, dispute resolution, trade facilitation and the expansion of digital services.
He also pointed to the establishment of the one-stop investment shop as a key reform aimed at simplifying processes for investors and entrepreneurs.
The unified investment platform, he said, is expected to encourage both foreign and local direct investment by making it easier to start and operate businesses in Eswatini.
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