Mbabane- The government of Eswatini through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy has unveiled an ambitious plan to unlock E100 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, inviting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to submit their proposals.
The announcement was made by CREATE Steering Committee Chairperson Gabsile Mabuza, who is also Undersecretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE), during a press briefing at the UN House in Mbabane today.
Mabuza emphasized that the programme is designed to bridge the long-standing financing gap faced by small businesses seeking to invest in renewable energy solutions.
“This programme is about unlocking opportunities. We are looking to mobilize E100 million to support MSMEs that are ready to transition into renewable energy and improve energy efficiency in their operations,” she said.
The CREATE programme aims to attract at least 1,000 applications from businesses with strong potential, leading to the development of 320 bankable business plans. Of these, around 250 MSMEs are expected to successfully secure blended financing from local financial institutions.
While the funding itself will not be directly disbursed by the programme, CREATE will play a critical role in preparing businesses to access it. This includes technical support such as assessing renewable energy investment opportunities, developing bankable proposals, and facilitating structured engagements with financiers.
“The focus is on ensuring that businesses are investment-ready and able to engage confidently with financial institutions,” Mabuza explained.
Through this approach, the programme seeks to create a pipeline of credible, finance-ready projects capable of attracting both debt and equity investment, ultimately contributing to the country’s renewable energy transition.
CREATE is a four-year government flagship programme running from 2025 to 2028. It is funded by the European Union Delegation to Eswatini through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development and implemented by MNRE in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Catalyze Eswatini.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of local industries while reducing reliance on conventional energy sources, positioning MSMEs at the forefront of Eswatini’s sustainable economic transformation.
MSMEs have been urged to submit their proposals before the deadline of May 30, 2026.
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