MBABANE – FNB Eswatini is expanding its support for the country’s small businesses beyond the banking hall, with the launch of a nationwide SME Growth Forum.
The forum is aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills, market insights and tailored financial solutions.
The bank announced on Wednesday that it will host four inaugural SME Growth Forums across the country’s four regions between July and August, bringing together about 50 of its SME clients in each region as part of its continued investment in the growth of Eswatini’s entrepreneurial sector.
The initiative forms part of FNB Eswatini’s partnership with the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA). Each forum will be held immediately after the regional EYA award ceremonies, providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to engage directly with banking specialists and business development experts.
The first forum is scheduled for July 20 at Siteki Hotel in the Lubombo Region, with subsequent engagements taking place in Hhohho on 23 July, Manzini on 27 July and Shiselweni on 3 August.
FNB Eswatini SME Lead Nombuso Mndzebele said the forums reflect the bank’s renewed commitment to bringing meaningful support closer to entrepreneurs across the country.
She said the bank was determined to strengthen its position as the financial institution of choice for SMEs by creating platforms that encourage direct engagement with business owners.
“We are committed to strengthening our position as the go-to bank for SMEs in Eswatini. One of the key actions we are prioritising to achieve this goal is active customer engagement,” said Mndzebele.
She said meaningful interaction with clients was critical in understanding the realities faced by entrepreneurs.
“We believe it is important to create meaningful platforms where we can engage directly with our clients, listen to their experiences, understand their challenges, and share the solutions we are bringing to the market.”
Beyond networking opportunities, the forums will feature discussions on the country’s economic outlook and emerging business opportunities, while also showcasing the range of support available through FNB’s SME offering.
Entrepreneurs will also participate in Business Toolkit Masterclasses designed to strengthen practical business management skills. Topics will include cash flow management, financial record keeping and business planning—areas often identified as critical to the sustainability and growth of small businesses.
Mndzebele said the forums would also provide access to specialists from several divisions within the bank, allowing entrepreneurs to receive practical guidance on services that can help them scale their businesses.
These include experts from Merchant Services and Digital Payments, Foreign Exchange and Cross-Border Trade, Insurance Solutions for SMEs and WesBank.
The specialists will participate in panel discussions where they will explain products and solutions designed to address the day-to-day operational and growth challenges faced by SMEs.
Mndzebele said the engagement sessions would also help the bank refine its own products by gaining a deeper understanding of the evolving needs of entrepreneurs.
“Through these engagements, we will be better positioned to shape and deliver our help in a way that responds directly to the needs of SMEs, ensuring that our solutions remain relevant, practical and impactful.”
She said the initiative aligns with the bank’s theme for its new financial year, “Help is for everyone.”
“With the FNB SME Growth Forum, help is for every SME in Eswatini,” she said.
The forums come at a time when SMEs continue to play an increasingly important role in Eswatini’s economy by creating employment opportunities, supporting innovation and contributing to economic diversification.
However, many small businesses continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, inadequate business management skills, cash flow constraints and difficulties accessing new markets.
Financial institutions have increasingly recognised that supporting SMEs requires more than lending, with many now investing in financial literacy, business mentorship and advisory services to improve the long-term sustainability of enterprises.
Through the regional forums, FNB aims to provide entrepreneurs with a platform to access knowledge, interact with industry experts and explore opportunities that can help position their businesses for growth.
FNB SME Growth Forum schedule
- July 20: Lubombo – Siteki Hotel
- July 23: Hhohho
- July 27: Manzini
- August 3: Shiselweni
