Manzini- The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has officially frozen exhibition rates for the second consecutive year ahead of the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026, launching a robust campaign to eliminate financial barriers for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while aggressively pivoting the national showcase toward sustainability and green finance.
The landmark operational freeze comes amidst challenging economic headwinds, designed specifically to safeguard domestic enterprises from rising overhead costs and ensure maximum private sector representation. To accommodate an unprecedented surge in applicant demand, organizers have simultaneously expanded the fair’s footprint, opening extensive outdoor exhibition clusters to encourage bespoke, custom-built corporate stands.
Speaking during the official launch of the annual Fair at Mavuso Exhibition Centreon Tuesday, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Melusi Masuku emphasized the government’s absolute stance on economic accessibility, highlighting that grassroots commercial participation underpins national economic resilience.
“To support our local businesses during these challenging economic times, government through EIPA has taken a firm stance of not increasing exhibition rates for the second year in a row. We want to ensure that cost is absolutely not a barrier to entry for our small and medium enterprises. For the 2026 edition, our goal is clear: increased private sector participation, particularly for our MSMEs who form the backbone of our kingdom’s trade network,” Masuku stated.
The PS further outlined that parallel to local empowerment, the ministry is intensifying its global networking outreach. By purposefully targeting major foreign corporations, the Trade Fair is structured to function as a premium matchmaking platform, allowing domestic business operators to forge critical regional linkages, establish cross-border partnerships, and integrate directly into global supply value chains.
Complementing this push for inclusive physical growth, the upcoming 58th edition of the EITF will introduce an aggressive structural shift toward climate-aligned trade. The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority has committed to ensuring that trade mechanisms and inbound investments align tightly with modern Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks.
The CEO of EIPA Sibani Mngomezulu expanded significantly on this strategic transition, emphasizing that modern corporations can no longer evaluate operations through the singular lens of traditional profit margins, but must actively champion solutions to systemic global challenges.
“This year, the EITF will place a significant spotlight on the Green Economy. EIPA is fully committed to promoting trade and investment that aligns completely with robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. We fundamentally believe that modern companies must look beyond traditional profit goals and actively address global environmental challenges. In direct partnership with Nedbank, we are proudly bringing back the spotlight on green finance through an expanded Green Zone,” the CEO confirmed.
The CEO also noted that social sustainability will be visibly advanced through the introduction of “Fit Friday,” a dedicated health initiative designed to promote physical activity, corporate wellness, and long-term well-being among trade exhibitors and the broader community.
Mngomezulu urged the private sector to aggressively claim their exhibition spaces, leverage the newly formatted green funding channels, and fully utilize the premier platform to showcase their latest innovations to regional investors.
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