Mbabane – The “Made in Eswatini” logo has been officially registered as a trademark, securing its legal status as intellectual property owned by A Peculiar People, with exclusive rights to license and distribute the mark under set governance and quality standards.
The registration was announced today on February 1, 2026, by the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office in Mbabane, marking a key development in efforts to protect, promote and commercialise goods and services produced within the Kingdom.
A Peculiar People, a local creative and strategic agency, holds custodianship of the mark, which is designed to certify the authenticity and origin of products and services made in Eswatini. The logo enables consumers to identify genuinely local offerings while supporting enterprises seeking stronger market visibility.
Beyond certification, the mark is positioned as a tool to build consumer trust and national pride, while supporting entrepreneurs to move from local markets into regional and export spaces, presenting Eswatini as a source of quality products linked to its national identity.
A Peculiar People chairman Melusi Zox Dlamini welcomed the registration and acknowledged the role of the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office in the process.
“We commend the EIPO team for their professionalism and efficiency throughout this process. This milestone affirms that local is no longer informal. Local is certified. Local is competitive,” said Dlamini.
He said the licensing of the Made in Eswatini logo would be administered through a public private framework involving government and private sector representatives, aimed at ensuring transparent and accountable decision making aligned with national priorities.
The registration of the Made in Eswatini Mark of Origin was publicly announced by Her Royal Highness Princess Sakhizwe during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between A Peculiar People and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries. During the event, Princess Sakhizwe encouraged local brands and entrepreneurs to secure intellectual property protection, saying this allows them to confidently use the logo while protecting revenue generated through trademarks and original concepts.
Eswatini Intellectual Property Office registrar Dr Celucolo Dludlu spoke during the official handover, pointing to the role of intellectual property in national development.
“As the Intellectual Property Office, we are on a mission to encourage local brands, entrepreneurs, and companies to take IP seriously. We are pleased that A Peculiar People, a local agency known for connecting consumers with local brands, has taken the initiative to secure and protect the Made in Eswatini identity,” said Dr Dludlu.
He said the logo serves as a key identifier in a competitive marketplace and supported the decision to license the mark to other entrepreneurs producing local goods and services.
“This aligns with the broader mandate of the Ministry to encourage the uptake of goods and services made in Eswatini. We encourage local brands to use this mark and be part of the Buy Local programme,” he said.
Dr Dludlu added that trademark registration allows lawful licensing and use of the registered symbol.
“Registration now allows A Peculiar People to legally use the ® symbol, which signifies a protected trademark. This symbol may only be used by entities holding a valid certificate of registration.”
The Eswatini Intellectual Property Office operates under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and is responsible for administering trademarks, patents, industrial designs and copyrights, working alongside the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society. The office also facilitates the registration of international intellectual property rights in Eswatini through bodies such as WIPO and ARIPO.
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