Ezulwini– Hhohho’s position as Eswatini’s financial and commercial centre is reflected in the growing strength and diversity of its small business sector, with the region contributing 81 of the 362 entries received nationally for the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA).
The figure, which accounts for nearly a quarter of all national entries, was revealed by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo during the official launch of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup at Sibane Sami Hotel yesterday.
Khumalo said the entries reflected the wide range of economic activity taking place in Hhohho, with business services recording the highest number of applications, followed by agriculture and retail.
Of the 81 Hhohho businesses that entered the competition, 43 were women-led while 38 were led by men.
“Business services led the applications, followed by agriculture and retail; a spread that reflects Hhohho’s own character as a region that trades in everything from produce to professional services,” Khumalo said.
The Minister said the region’s economic importance was further enhanced by its position as a key gateway for trade with South Africa and the wider region through the Ngwenya and Oshoek border posts.
He said businesses based in Hhohho were therefore positioned to take advantage of both domestic and regional markets.
Khumalo said Government was working to create conditions that would allow more businesses to formalise, grow and access new markets through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act and the National MSME Policy 2024–2029.
He also pointed to the Ingelo Certification Scheme as one of the initiatives intended to help locally produced goods access wider markets.
“Through initiatives like the Ingelo Certification Scheme, we are opening new markets for the products made right here in this Kingdom,” he said.
The Minister said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were a central part of the national economy and not a peripheral sector.
He said the EYA provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to compete against a credible standard and gain recognition beyond Eswatini.
Khumalo cited last year’s EYA winner, Duncan Dlamini of DJD Investments, who, together with three other EmaSwati entrepreneurs, was recognised at the Iconic Africa Summit in Zimbabwe as a pioneer of regional economic development.
“Our Ministry is proud to see EmaSwati excel beyond Eswatini,” he said.
The 2026 EYA programme is being held under the theme “20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth”, as the awards celebrate two decades of recognising and supporting entrepreneurs.
Khumalo said the programme’s continued success had been made possible through partnerships with the private sector.
He said FNB Eswatini and the FNB Foundation, the title sponsor and 20th anniversary Legacy Partner, had invested more than E2 million in the programme.
The Minister also acknowledged the continued support of the Eswatini National Provident Fund, Taiwan ICDF, FINCORP and Infinity Links.
He said SEDCO played an important role in delivering the programme across the country and ensuring that businesses from different regions had an opportunity to participate.
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