Ezulwini : The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) have been hailed as a key driver in transforming Eswatini’s SME sector, with past winners recording significant business growth and job creation.
This was highlighted during the launch of the 2026 EYA held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini, where FNB Eswatini reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and the Eswatini Enterprise Development Corporation (SEDCO), committing a combined E2 million sponsorship towards this year’s programme.
FNB Eswatini Executive Head of Commercial Chantell Littler said the awards have become a critical platform for nurturing entrepreneurship and enabling sustainable business growth, describing SMEs as the “bedrock” of Eswatini’s economy.
She said the programme aligns with the bank’s Shared Prosperity agenda, which seeks to use financial services to create value for society while expanding economic participation across both urban and rural areas.
“Our role as FNB Eswatini is to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals, grow sustainable businesses, and lead prosperous lives. EYA gives us a powerful platform to live out this promise across Eswatini,” Littler said.
She noted that over the years, the initiative has produced measurable success stories, with previous winners growing from small-scale operations into established enterprises employing dozens of people and generating multimillion-emalangeni turnovers.
One such entrepreneur reportedly expanded from 12 employees and an annual turnover of E1.2 million to about 50 employees and E12 million turnover. Another grew from three employees and E1 million turnover to 20 employees and approximately E40 million turnover.
“These are not just business statistics; they represent families supported, jobs created and communities transformed,” Littler said.
The 2026 edition of the awards carries added symbolic significance as it coincides with Eswatini’s celebrations marking 40 years of His Majesty’s reign. Littler said the milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on national progress, particularly in empowering local businesses.
“We are honoured that this year’s EYA is taking place in the same year His Majesty celebrates 40 years on the throne. It is a moment to reflect on how far we have come in supporting SME growth together with SEDCO and government,” she said.
FNB Eswatini announced that this year’s sponsorship package includes funding for the grand prize, regional and national category winners, as well as support for regional EYA activities.
The awards will feature seven categories including Youth Owned, Women Owned, Most Innovative, Techno-Savvy, Green Business, Agribusiness, and Overall Winner.
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