Manzini – The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, has urged young entrepreneurs in Eswatini to take full advantage of digital platforms to expand their businesses across the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region.
He was speaking during the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries–Eswatini (YCCIE) and SACU Digital Trade Summit, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Eswatini International Trade Fair.
Khumalo said the summit provided an important platform where youth ambition could meet government policy and regional collaboration. He noted that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises account for more than 90 percent of registered businesses across Eswatini and the SACU bloc, making them critical to job creation and economic growth.
He stressed that for these businesses to grow and compete, they must have access to digital tools and regional markets. The minister outlined government’s commitment to digitising trade permits, investing in infrastructure, and providing financial support, mentorship and digital resources for youth-led businesses.
He told participants that the gathering should mark the beginning of a new era where Eswatini’s small businesses trade digitally, regionally and with confidence, while building networks that go beyond borders.
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