Mbabane– The Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC) has facilitated investment transactions worth more than E4.96 billion during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.
The transactions, reviewed between April and June 2026, comprised both domestic and international business combinations across key sectors, including fast-moving consumer goods, agriculture and forestry.
According to the ESCC, the approval of these transactions forms part of its mandate to assess the impact of mergers on competition and ensure that market developments do not disadvantage consumers or restrict fair business practices.
ESCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Siboniselizulu Simelane- Maseko said the commission’s mergers and acquisitions regulation function remained an important contributor to economic growth by enabling investment while safeguarding competition.
“During the period under review, our mergers and acquisitions regulation function continued to facilitate investment by reviewing and approving both domestic and international transactions valued at more than E4.96 billion, while ensuring that these transactions promote competitive markets,” said Simelane -Maseko.
The commission said its merger assessment process involves detailed scrutiny of notified transactions, with decisions made based on their likely impact on competition. Following the assessment, mergers may either be approved without conditions, approved subject to specific requirements, or prohibited if they are found to negatively affect competition.
ESCC Manager for Mergers and Acquisitions Phesheya Malaza said six transactions were approved during the quarter, with international deals accounting for the majority of the investment value.
Four international transactions had a combined value of approximately E4.8 billion, with their combined annual turnover or asset value estimated at about E51 billion.
Meanwhile, two locally based transactions approved during the period were valued at E110 million, with a combined annual turnover or asset value of approximately E6.4 billion.
Malaza said the approved deals were concentrated in sectors that are important to Eswatini’s economy, including consumer goods, agriculture and forestry.
The regulator said it would continue balancing the need to attract investment with its responsibility to protect consumers and promote inclusive economic participation.
“As we enter the second quarter, we remain focused on promoting competitive and inclusive markets and protecting the welfare of consumers,” said Simelane Maseko.
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