Mbabane City Council wins best exhibitor award at Trade Fair

EZULWINI – The Municipal Council of Mbabane was crowned the most innovative and best exhibitor at this year’s Eswatini International Trafe Fair.

The award was received by the Chief Executive Officer Gcinile Fakudze.

At the event, Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla represented the Prime Minister Russell Dlamini.

In his address, Prime Minister Dlamini has threw government’s full weight behind plans to transform the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre into a permanent, year-round hub for trade, investment, innovation and enterprise, while challenging businesses to produce more and compete successfully in international markets.

The Prime Minister said the vision, championed by His Majesty King Mswati III, required Eswatini to move beyond temporary arrangements such as rented marquees and invest in permanent, modern infrastructure.

Delivering the Prime Minister’s statement at the closing of the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair, Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla said government fully embraced His Majesty’s vision for Mavuso.

“I wish to state unequivocally that government fully embraces and supports this vision. So, Minister, rest assured of government support,” Dlamini said.

He said the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, working with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and other stakeholders, would receive the necessary support to advance the expansion.

“This is not simply an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in the future of Eswatini’s economy,” he said.

The call comes as the Trade Fair continues to outgrow the existing facility. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said demand for exhibition space had now exceeded available capacity, with more than 200 exhibitors participating and international exhibitors presenting increasingly diverse requirements.

“The challenge that we now have is we have more demand than we have capacity to handle,” Khumalo said.

He said His Majesty’s call for an expansion plan for Mavuso was therefore timely and expressed confidence that stakeholders would support the proposal during budget discussions.

Dlamini said the upgraded facility should become a modern, internationally competitive platform that stimulates commerce, attracts investment, promotes innovation and creates opportunities.

He also challenged businesses to move beyond ambition towards increased production, value addition, competitiveness and market penetration.

“We must produce more and add greater value to our resources and position Eswatini’s products and services for markets beyond our borders,” he said.

The Prime Minister said opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, preferential market access and trade pathways into the United Kingdom and European Union should be fully exploited.

“Our ambition should not simply be to participate in international markets. We must compete successfully in them,” he said.

Dlamini further said economic growth must be pursued alongside environmental sustainability, pointing to government’s commitment to building a green, resilient and inclusive economy.

He said EITF should continue expanding participation by local enterprises, young entrepreneurs and persons with disabilities, while preparations for the 2027 edition should begin early.

“We should not wait. We should not wait for the next trade fair,” he said.

The Prime Minister also commended EIPA for strengthening international participation and promoting investment, innovation and sustainable trade. The 2026 edition attracted exhibitors and delegations from countries including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa, further cementing the Trade Fair’s international profile.