MBABANE – Eswatini is one of Africa’s frontrunners in preparing for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Investment.
A new continental report indicates that reforms currently underway in the kingdom are positioning it to attract greater intra-African investment while helping shape the implementation of the agreement across the continent.
The findings are contained in the Undertaking AfCFTA Gap Analyses: What Are We Learning? synthesis report, produced by the AfCFTA Secretariat and ODI Global in collaboration with leading international trade and investment specialists, including Eswatini’s own Economic Development, Investment Policy and Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Zizwe Vilane.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Investment (PoI) represents a key step towards establishing a coherent investment governance framework across the continent.
Full implementation has the potential to substantially increase intra- and extra-Africa foreign direct investment (FDI).
The report assesses investment readiness across 21 African countries and regional blocs, identifying Eswatini as one of a handful of pilot countries whose experiences are already informing continental implementation of the AfCFTA Investment Protocol.
The findings represent more than international recognition.
They suggest that the Eswatini’s ongoing efforts to modernise its investment environment are placing it in a favourable position to benefit from Africa’s rapidly evolving economic integration agenda.
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Business opportunities ahead
MBABANE - For Eswatini’s private sector, successful implementation of these reforms could deliver benefits extending well beyond improved legislation.
Simplified investment procedures would reduce the administrative burden associated with establishing or expanding businesses.
Greater institutional coordination could shorten approval times while increasing certainty for investors planning new projects.
Improved aftercare services could encourage existing investors to reinvest, creating additional employment and strengthening domestic supply chains.
The report also argues that better alignment with continental investment standards will improve Africa’s ability to attract investment into strategic sectors while strengthening regional value chains and encouraging African businesses to expand beyond their home markets.
For local enterprises, this could translate into increased partnership opportunities with regional investors, improved access to continental production networks and stronger prospects for exporting into African markets.
Small and medium-sized enterprises stand to benefit, particularly from investment environments characterised by greater transparency, predictable regulations and more efficient government services.
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Economic Development, Investment Policy and Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Zizwe Vilane. (File pic)