Ezulwini – The Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, closed the inaugural Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) conference with a reaffirmation of his portfolio’s commitment to converting the sector into an engine of meaningful economic advancement.
On its last of three days, the MSME conference resolved to convene key enablers, including government institutions, financial partners, business associations, and development partners, to get into the real crux of breaking barriers hindering MSME growth, beyond the discussions.
“We are determined to ensure that no entrepreneur is left behind as we work towards building a dynamic, competitive, and sustainable MSME sector,” Khumalo emphasised.
The minister said the upcoming phase will focus on developing a coordinated roadmap that addresses the specific challenges faced by MSMEs, with a strong emphasis on accountability and measurable outcomes.
He also assured MSMEs that his ministry is expediting government payments to be done in time.
“The Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) has established a reporting platform for MSMEs to register outstanding payments owed by government entities or private sector clients,” he said, adding that entrepreneurs can report such cases via WhatsApp at 7602 8830, enabling SEDCO to liaise directly with relevant ministries to facilitate payments.
Further financial relief has been introduced through African Alliance, which has launched a payment system to finance invoices and sustain MSME cash flows.
The system allows invoices to be paid within two business days, minimising delays that often strain small businesses. The initiative operates on a vetted buyer-supplier relationship, ensuring that once payments are processed, suppliers are protected from further risk of default.
As the conference concluded, speakers called for renewed determination among all stakeholders to move “from dialogue to delivery” and “from plans to progress”.
The shared vision is clear: to build a resilient, inclusive, and thriving MSME ecosystem that drives Eswatini’s economic transformation.
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