Stakeholder consultations on Eswatini’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Regulations have officially concluded after two weeks of intense deliberations. The discussions, which ran from March 17 to March 25, were spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade with technical backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
A wide range of stakeholders took part, including representatives from industries such as agriculture, construction, education, healthcare, ICT, tourism, and the arts. The goal was to refine the first draft of regulations under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act No. 18 of 2023, a law designed to promote inclusive economic growth.
The legislation focuses on increasing citizen ownership of productive assets, expanding employment in the formal sector, improving skills development, ensuring preferential procurement for local businesses, and enhancing access to both state and private-sector services.
Next, the Citizen Economic Empowerment Council, chaired by Lincoln Motsa, will enter the second phase of consultations, engaging directly with small business owners in local communities. Mluleki Dlamini, Director of the Small Business Enterprises Unit, stressed the importance of balancing indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with foreign investment for sustainable economic growth.
Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Eswatini President Sakhile Nsibandze pointed out that successful policies rely on community-driven implementation rather than government directives alone.
UNDP provided financial and technical support for these consultations, aligning with its mission to drive inclusive economic development. Core funding from major donors—including Germany, Japan, the USA, Sweden, and the UK—enables the agency to assist national governments in poverty reduction and development planning.
With the first phase complete, the focus now shifts to ensuring that grassroots entrepreneurs have a say in shaping policies that directly impact them.
