MBABANE — United States (US) Department of State strongly endorses the Kingdom of Eswatini as an increasingly attractive destination for investment in its 2025 Investment Climate Statements.
Eswatini’s backing follows its drive to build an open, competitive and export-oriented economy which the report said is seen in its strategic geographic positioning as well as nd preferential access to regional and continental markets with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The assessment notes that these trade blocs provide investors operating in Eswatini with a gateway to millions of consumers across Africa.
It further outlines continued eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) highlighting it as a key competitive advantage.
“The trade programme allows qualifying exports from Eswatini to enter the United States market duty-free, strengthening the country’s appeal to export-focused manufacturers, particularly in value-added industries,” reads the report.
Recent policy and legislative reforms have been noted as having played a central role in improving the investment climate. The implementation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, updates to intellectual property laws, and a package of investor-friendly incentives are highlighted as positives.
Eswatini also has a comparatively low corporate tax rate, duty-free importation of machinery and equipment, and the unrestricted repatriation of profits, the report states.
Firms operating within designated SEZs benefit from long-term tax exemptions, streamlined customs procedures and improved trade facilitation, measures aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and accelerating project implementation.
There is also a significant growth potential in priority sectors aligned with Eswatini’s development agenda, including renewable energy, manufacturing, agro-processing, textiles and information and communications technology (ICT).
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