Manzini- Information, Communications and Technology Minister Savannah Maziya has challenged emaSwati entrepreneurs to move beyond consumption and embrace wealth creation, investment and innovation if they are to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth.
Speaking at the Zakhele FEA Business Expo on Saturday, Maziya urged entrepreneurs to adopt a mindset focused on ownership, critical thinking and long-term financial growth rather than merely earning an income.
Addressing scores of exhibitors and aspiring business owners, the minister said Eswatini’s future prosperity depends on producing problem-solvers, innovators and investors capable of creating value in the economy.
“We have to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. We have to be producers, not consumers,” she emphasized.She argued that many education systems across the continent have historically focused on compliance rather than innovation, leaving many people ill-equipped to identify opportunities and solve complex economic challenges.
Drawing from her own experiences in business and public service, Maziya encouraged entrepreneurs to think differently about money, emphasising that building wealth requires more than simply generating sales.”The making of money is not that difficult. It is the keeping and the growing where we seem to lose it,” she said.
The minister stressed that successful entrepreneurs should not only focus on daily business operations but should also develop strategies for investing profits and creating assets that generate long-term returns.
She further challenged business owners to seek ownership stakes in the companies and platforms they regularly support, arguing that participation in the economy should extend beyond consumption.
“You’ve got to be a shareholder. How can you use all these products and have no ownership in them?” she asked.
Maziya said one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs is confusing activity with productivity, warning that being constantly busy does not necessarily translate into business growth or wealth accumulation.
“You can be busy in life but not productive. All your hours can be spoken for, but when you come to the end of the day, you have produced nothing,” she said.
The minister’s remarks also highlighted the growing role of digital technology in entrepreneurship. She noted that affordable internet access and digital platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for small businesses to reach customers beyond Eswatini’s borders.
According to Maziya, social media platforms and digital marketplaces now allow entrepreneurs to market products globally without requiring large advertising budgets, creating opportunities for both business growth and income generation.
The Zakhele FEA Business Expo brought together entrepreneurs from various sectors to showcase products and services, network with potential partners and explore opportunities for business expansion. The event also provided a platform for discussions on entrepreneurship, innovation, financial literacy and the role of technology in economic development.
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