MBABANE – The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has assured the business community that the second edition of the Eswatini Investment Conference (EIC) will be significantly improved.
This follows lessons learnt from the inaugural event held last year.
The first conference, hosted at Sharma House in Ezulwini, drew strong interest from the business community but was marred by logistical challenges, including limited space and constrained seating arrangements.
However, EIPA says those shortcomings have been carefully assessed and will not be repeated.
Speaking during the launch of the conference’s official website last week, EIPA Chief Executive Officer Sibani Mngomezulu acknowledged that the authority had underestimated the turnout during the inaugural event.
“We are aware of the challenges that arose during the first edition. It was our first time hosting such a platform, and we did not anticipate the overwhelming response from the business community,” Mngomezulu said.
“Issues such as the smaller venue and seating arrangements have been noted, and we have taken all feedback into account to improve the upcoming conference.”
He emphasised that the 2026 edition is expected to be bigger and better, with the conference being elevated to head-of-State level. It is anticipated that His Majesty King Mswati III will grace the event, signalling its growing importance in the country’s investment promotion agenda.
The renewed ambition mirrors developments in the region, where high-level political backing has helped unlock significant capital flows.
At the sixth South Africa Investment Conference, attended by Cyril Ramaphosa, investment pledges amounting to approximately R890 billion were secured, highlighting the potential of such platforms when effectively executed.
The road to the second edition of the EIC has now reached a key milestone with the official launch of a dedicated conference website, marking a strategic shift towards digital engagement.
The unveiling of the platform signals EIPA’s intention to modernise and streamline investor interaction while expanding the conference’s global reach. The development follows the formal commissioning of the conference by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini on March 9, 2026.
Mngomezulu stressed that in today’s global economy, digital visibility is a critical factor in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
“In today’s digital economy, visibility is everything. If investors cannot find you, they cannot invest in you,” he said.
“This website ensures that Eswatini is visible, accessible and reachable to the global investment community.”
The platform is designed to act as a central hub for information on the conference and the country’s investment opportunities, effectively bridging the gap between local projects and international capital.
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