Manzini- The Eswatini International Trade Fair 2026 (EITF) have officially opened exhibitor applications, with management targeting at least 280 exhibitors and projecting that more than 60 percent of exhibition space could be subscribed by the end of May.
Presenting the roll-out plan during the launch of the 58th edition EITF at Mavuso Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, EITF Executive Manager of Trade Promotion, Sibusiso Mnisi said applications are already live, with businesses encouraged to secure space early ahead of the June 26 application deadline and the July 25 payment deadline.
Mnisi said demand for exhibition space had already shown strong momentum, driven by growing interest from companies seeking to position themselves within the Fair’s sustainability-focused agenda.
“We are targeting 280 exhibitors and, by the end of this month, I think we will be at over 60 percent in terms of subscriptions because people have already been calling and asking us to book before,” he said.
The 2026 Trade Fair is being positioned as a platform for “Unlocking Economic Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion”, with EIPA placing strong emphasis on green business practices, innovation and inclusive economic participation.
Beyond the main exhibition, the Fair will again host seminars and media engagements aimed at stimulating dialogue around sustainability, innovation and emerging industries. Mnisi revealed that two seminar venues would be made available free of charge to stakeholders who book early.
“Last year we had 15 seminars and we attracted over 1 000 participants. This year, the target is to increase participation to 2 000,” he said.
The event will also feature entertainment programmes, sporting activities, creative industry showcases and wellness campaigns designed to broaden participation across sectors of the economy.
Mnisi said the EITF would continue promoting local enterprise development by encouraging businesses to showcase sustainable solutions, recycling initiatives and environmentally-conscious production methods.
“We are seeing opportunities when you are talking about recycling because you can make a new product or improve an existing one. Companies in Eswatini are already moving in that direction where sustainability is becoming part of business,” he said.
Mnisi further indicated that adjudication criteria for exhibitors would increasingly consider how businesses align with the fair’s sustainability theme, including exhibition presentation, customer engagement and environmental responsibility.
Digital engagement is expected to play a central role in this year’s campaign, with EIPA leveraging Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp platforms and live media broadcasts to maintain communication with exhibitors and the public.
The Exexutive Manager said the broader objective was to ensure the trade fair remains an inclusive national platform capable of connecting businesses, government, investors and communities around sustainable economic growth.
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