MBABANE – A showcase at the 2026 Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival has opened new commercial opportunities for livestock-based micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
These are MSMEs supported through the European Union and International Trade Centre partnership programme in Eswatini.
Eight MSMEs supported under the EU-funded Eswatini Livestock Value Chain Development Programme (ELVCDP), together with six additional enterprises participating through COSPE, generated sales, secured orders, attracted buyer interest and identified new growth opportunities during the festival held at House on Fire in Malkerns, from August 1–2, 2026.
The ELVCDP forms part of the broader; “Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances” programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with Eswatini Government.
The participating ELVCDP enterprises were Vuvutela, Queen Bee Eswatini, Beef Boys Butchery, Bliss Burgers, D-Tempt Creations, Melane Leather, Lupondvo Designs and Interactive Jungle Investments.
Four food enterprises traded through the Nguni Food Lounge in the festival’s Food Court, while four leather and creative businesses showcased their products under the Nguni Craft Lounge at the Fashion Café.
The festival gave the businesses an opportunity to showcase locally produced food, leather and lifestyle products, engage directly with customers and build potential commercial relationships with buyers and distributors.
Training ahead of the festival
Ahead of the event, the MSMEs underwent training in branding, product development and presentation, customer engagement and professional buyer communication.
Programme organisers said the preparation was designed to help the enterprises present memorable brands and convert festival exposure into sales, market linkages and longer-term business growth.
Through the programme, the MSMEs also developed and showcased new products through collaborations among themselves, with several of the jointly developed offerings becoming some of the most popular products displayed and served during the festival.
European Union Ambassador to Eswatini Karsten Mecklenburg toured the participating stalls, interacted with entrepreneurs and viewed the range of locally produced food, leather and lifestyle products on display.
He said the festival demonstrated the commercial potential of Eswatini’s livestock enterprises and the importance of creating platforms that connect MSMEs with consumers and prospective buyers.
“The sales, orders and buyer interest generated at Luju demonstrate the potential of Eswatini’s livestock enterprises. These businesses are adding value to local resources, building competitive brands and creating opportunities for employment and sustainable livelihoods,” Mecklenburg said.
This was the second group of livestock MSMEs supported by the programme to participate in the Luju Festival. The initiative was first launched in 2025, when participating businesses established market linkages that continued beyond the event, including opportunities to supply products through Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane.
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