Mbabane – The Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair 2026 has been rescheduled to Friday, 1 May 2026, to align with national events marking the Ruby Jubilee of His Majesty King Mswati III’s Coronation.
The organisers, A Peculiar People, said the decision was taken with respect for the Jubilee celebrations expected to take place on the same weekend as the originally planned dates. The Fair will now coincide with Workers’ Day, a public holiday observed across the Kingdom.
According to the organisers, the shift to May Day is also intended to support local economic activity. Workers were described as a key consumer group, with the public holiday allowing one of Mbabane’s busiest streets to be converted into a large open marketplace. Holding the event at month end is expected to increase purchasing power among consumers, boosting sales for Eswatini’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
On the day, Dr Sishayi Road in Mbabane will host the Fair, with local producers selling directly to consumers. The organisers said the setup is aimed at strengthening the domestic economy and advancing the Buy Local movement by giving locally made products direct access to the market.
A Peculiar People also confirmed a sharp rise in interest from exhibitors. A total of 309 MSMEs registered for the 2026 Fair, more than double the 141 recorded last year. Due to the high number of applications, exhibition space will be limited, and the floor plan is being redesigned to improve brand visibility while maintaining a smooth experience for shoppers.
The new date has already been communicated to participating enterprises, and consultations have been held with Mbabane Municipality as the host city. The organisers said all municipal procedures, approvals and compliance requirements will be followed.
The Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair will remain free to enter for the public. To expand market access for local producers, retail buyers from chain stores across Southern Africa have been invited to attend.
A Peculiar People expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, Mbabane Municipal Council, The K3y, the US Embassy in Eswatini, UNDP, Business Eswatini, the Youth Chamber of Commerce, public institutions, media houses and consumers for their continued support. The organisers have invited both local and international consumers to attend the Fair on 1 May 2026.
The statement was issued by Melusi Zox Dlamini, Chairman of A Peculiar People, Custodians of the Made in Eswatini® Mark and Curators of the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair.
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