EZULWINI – Government has made a fresh pitch to investors to back Eswatini’s agro-processing sector as part of national efforts to industrialise agriculture and expand the economy.
The call came last Thursday during the Eswatini Investment Conference, where Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka addressed potential investors, development agencies and local stakeholders gathered in Ezulwini.
Tshawuka told attendees that Eswatini is ready to move beyond primary production and become a competitive player in agro-processing. He said this shift would create jobs, boost exports and deepen the country’s participation in agricultural value chains.
“We are looking for partners with the capital, skills and technology to help us transform Eswatini’s food systems,” he said, urging investors to consider ventures in food processing, packaging and logistics.
Agro-processing, which involves turning raw farm produce into finished goods, has been identified as a key driver for economic diversification and rural development. Tshawuka noted that while farmers—particularly youth and smallholders—continue to face hurdles in accessing finance, government interventions are beginning to change the tide.
He pointed to the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund (EADF) as a tool already supporting access to inputs, equipment and infrastructure. “We are opening financial doors for farmers to grow their businesses and become active players in the market,” he said.
Land access also featured in the minister’s remarks. He said land tenure challenges had slowed agricultural expansion but added that government was reviewing existing frameworks to make land more accessible and investor-friendly.
“Emerging farmers need access to land, and we are engaging stakeholders to create a more enabling environment that balances investor interests and farmer rights,” he told delegates.
Tshawuka also cited Eswatini’s position within Southern Africa and its trade access to the SACU bloc, COMESA, the European Union and the United States as major advantages for export-oriented ventures. He encouraged investments in cold storage, processing plants and supply chains, describing them as areas with high growth potential.
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