Manzini – The BuyEswatini digital platform links more than 150 merchants to more than 100 online shoppers.
Even though it is still in its experimental phase, the platform has connected over 70 SMEs, 150 distinct items, and more than 100 registered buyers. It has also enabled 65 successful online purchases, bringing in over E15,000.
This came to light during the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority’s (EIPA) BuyEswatini capacity-building workshop for traders in Manzini. The workshop is giving entrepreneurs practical skills in digital marketing, online store administration, e-commerce, and consumer interaction.
Honey Child Style, Lujilo Honey, My Coils, Patience Delight, and Master Candy are some of the notable brands that are doing well on the site.
Opening the two-day workshop on Tuesday, EIPA Executive Head of Trade Promotion Sibusiso Mnisi described the programme as a milestone in Eswatini’s digital trade evolution.
“Today is about growth, empowerment, and shared progress,” Mnisi said. “We’re giving local traders the tools and confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.”
Mnisi explained that the BuyEswatini platform was developed to connect local producers and service providers with buyers both within the country and across the Southern African region — and eventually, the globe.
“BuyEswatini is not just a platform; it’s a movement. It tells the world that Eswatini products are made with excellence and pride,” he added.
Mnisi expressed gratitude to the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its ongoing technical and financial support in developing BuyEswatini and training local entrepreneurs. He also applauded the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, along with other stakeholders, for championing the nation’s digital trade transformation.
“This collaboration reminds us that sustainable progress is built through partnership and shared purpose,” Mnisi said.
The EIPA official emphasised that digital transformation is now central to global business success and urged Eswatini’s traders to embrace technology as a vital growth tool.
“The marketplace is now global, fast, and always open,” Mnisi said. “BuyEswatini is your gateway to that opportunity—it bridges the gap between traditional trade and the digital economy.”
Looking ahead, future phases of the BuyEswatini project will focus on improving logistics, enhancing online payment systems, and expanding access to regional and international markets.
“We want to see Eswatini’s products not only online but also in homes, offices, and stores across Africa and the world,” Mnisi said.
He encouraged traders to make full use of the platform, stressing that their participation is vital to building a resilient and connected national economy.
“Each step you take online, each sale you make through BuyEswatini, brings us closer to a stronger, more connected economy,” Mnisi concluded.
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