Mbabane– Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to receive specialised export training under a new partnership between the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and DHL Swaziland, as the country seeks to expand its presence in regional and international markets.
The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at EIPA’s offices in Mbabane on Thursday, establishing a collaboration intended to equip local businesses with the practical skills required to export their products and compete beyond Eswatini’s borders.
The initiative comes as EIPA targets an increase of 250 export-ready businesses, in support of the country’s ambition to achieve E50 billion in exports by 2030.
At the centre of the agreement is the integration of EIPA’s Export Readiness Programme with DHL’s GoTrade Initiative, combining export development support with training in customs procedures, international trade requirements and logistics.
EIPA Chief Executive Officer Sibani Mngomezulu said the partnership was intended to help local enterprises overcome the difficulties that often prevent them from entering foreign markets, including identifying suitable destinations for their products and ensuring efficient delivery across borders.
“Together we can help SMEs move from having an interest in exporting to becoming export-ready,” Mngomezulu said.
Under the arrangement, DHL will deliver training through its Trade and Grow Beyond Borders curriculum, drawing on its expertise in customs clearance and logistics. The company will also share trade intelligence, provide regional logistics solutions and work with EIPA on environmentally friendly initiatives through its Go Green programme.
EIPA, meanwhile, will use its existing export-readiness framework to support participating businesses in preparing to access international markets. The authority is expected to invite qualifying enterprises and aspiring exporters to register for the programme, which is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
Beyond the training, participating businesses could access further mentoring, market intelligence, trade missions and other initiatives designed to connect them with potential export markets.
DHL Swaziland Country Manager Khethang Ramalefane described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening the capacity of small businesses and supporting economic growth.
“The real work begins now, and I look forward to undertaking this journey with EIPA,” Ramalefane said.
The partnership seeks to address a practical challenge facing businesses seeking to expand internationally: having a product to sell does not necessarily mean having the capacity to navigate export regulations, manage cross-border shipments and fulfil orders in overseas markets.
Opportunities arising from regional integration, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the expansion of digital trade could give Eswatini businesses access to a wider customer base. However, enterprises need the technical knowledge and logistical support to turn those opportunities into actual sales.
For EIPA and DHL, the effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether the training translates into businesses entering new markets and generating export revenue, rather than simply increasing the number of entrepreneurs who complete the programme.
The collaboration is therefore intended to strengthen the capacity of local firms to participate in international trade while contributing to efforts to diversify Eswatini’s export base and achieve its longer-term export ambitions.
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