Cross-border collaboration emerges as MSME survival strategy

SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG – In an increasingly uncertain economic climate, collaboration and cross-border networking are fast emerging as critical lifelines for MSMEs, with entrepreneurs now looking beyond domestic markets to unlock growth opportunities.This sentiment took centre stage over the weekend during the Ibhuma Business Dinner held in Sandton, where Eswatini entrepreneurs engaged their South African counterparts in a deliberate effort to forge partnerships, secure business referrals and explore market expansion opportunities.The high-level networking engagement brought together entrepreneurs from a wide spectrum of industries, including construction, healthcare, information technology, art, hospitality, culinary services, finance and mining. What distinguished the platform was its intentional design, not merely as a social gathering, but as a working space where real business conversations translate into tangible outcomes.The Ibhuma platform itself, established in 2023, is a boutique business networking initiative aimed at facilitating inter-country trade and investment by connecting entrepreneurs, investors and executives across Africa. Derived from the siSwati word libhuma, referring to the resilient African bulrush plant, the platform symbolises strength, interconnectedness and growth, values that mirror its mission of building an interwoven ecosystem of businesses that support each other. At the heart of the discussions was a shared recognition that MSMEs, particularly in smaller economies such as Eswatini, must actively seek regional integration to remain competitive.Director of Bracefield Investment Group, Linda Shiba, described the Ibhuma Business Dinner as a deliberate departure from traditional business seminars, which often prioritise presentations over meaningful engagement.“This is not the kind of platform where people come, listen to speakers and go home. It is a platform for placement, placing entrepreneurs closer to resources, capital and opportunities that enable them to thrive,” said Shiba.He emphasised that the initiative is structured to encourage active participation, information exchange and relationship-building, with a strong focus on deal-making.*Full article available on Pressreader*