Mbabane – The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade has announced a renewed drive to strengthen product quality, consumer protection and trade competitiveness, placing standards and quality assurance at the centre of Eswatini’s industrial and export agenda.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Hon. Mancoba Khumalo said government views standards as a strategic economic tool rather than a regulatory formality, noting that quality assurance, conformity assessment and metrology are increasingly decisive in determining whether local products can access regional and international markets.
The minister said the Eswatini Standards Authority SWASA occupies a critical position in this effort, with its mandate directly linked to safeguarding consumers, supporting industrial growth and facilitating trade.
“In today’s economy, the ability of our products and services to meet acceptable quality and safety requirements determines their competitiveness,” he noted, stressing that standards are essential for building confidence in ‘Made in Eswatini’ goods, both locally and abroad.
The remarks come amid growing pressure on domestic producers to comply with stricter regional and global standards, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing and processing sectors. According to the minister, strengthening SWASA’s governance and institutional effectiveness is part of government’s broader strategy to align industrial development with quality and safety benchmarks.
While announcing the constitution of SWASA’s governing council, the minister stressed that the emphasis was not merely on leadership changes, but on reinforcing the authority’s capacity to deliver on its mandate. Government expects SWASA to play a more proactive role in supporting industry, improving compliance frameworks and enhancing consumer protection.
The minister highlighted that effective standards-setting and enforcement are essential for reducing trade barriers, improving market access and ensuring that Eswatini-based businesses remain competitive in a demanding global environment.
He added that sound governance, financial oversight and ethical leadership within public institutions are critical to achieving these objectives, particularly as standards bodies increasingly interact with private sector operators and international partners.
As Eswatini positions itself to expand trade and industrial activity, the minister said government would continue to prioritise institutions that underpin quality, safety and confidence in the economy, describing standards as a foundation for sustainable growth, not a constraint on business.
Khumalo expressed confidence that strengthened governance at SWASA would translate into improved service delivery, deeper industry support and greater alignment between national standards and economic development goals.
Discussion about this post