EZULWINI – Eswatini has expressed its aspiration to develop a mature automotive manufacturing industry in the future, while apologising to regional delegates for being unable to showcase automotive component manufacturing facilities during the 5th Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Task Team Meeting on Automotive and Mineral Beneficiation.
Speaking during the official opening of the meeting at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Phesheya Dube acknowledged that unlike some SACU member states that had previously hosted the gathering, Eswatini was not yet in a position to offer delegates tours of established automotive component manufacturing plants.
Dube said previous host countries had arranged visits to automotive facilities, giving delegates an opportunity to witness first-hand the progress being made in the sector across the region.
“It is with sincere regret that we are unable to offer a similar experience during this fifth meeting, as Eswatini does not yet have such matured establishments to present,” he said.
However, Dube stressed that the absence of such facilities should serve as motivation for the country to accelerate industrial development.
“Let this serve as both a reminder of the work ahead and a commitment from us to foster the development of such industries, so that in the future, we too may share our own stories of progress and achievement with pride,” he said.
The meeting brought together delegates from SACU member states to discuss opportunities in automotive and mineral beneficiation, as well as regional value chain development. Dube said the discussions were taking place at a crucial time as member states seek to align their industrialisation efforts with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and SACU.
He noted that value addition and value chain development remained critical to ensuring sustainable economic growth and industrial transformation within the region.
Dube further emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, saying SACU member states could only realise their industrial ambitions through collective action and strategic partnerships.
He pointed to the Algeria-Egypt Agreement as one of the opportunities that could help the region expand markets and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
“As SACU member states, we recognise that our strength lies in our unity. By leveraging such partnerships, we can expand our markets, enhance our competitiveness and ensure that our industries are not only regionally integrated but also globally relevant,” he said.
The Under Secretary also challenged delegates to use the meeting to determine the future direction of the task team.
He said Eswatini hoped the gathering would answer the question of “where to from here” and establish a clear roadmap for advancing automotive and mineral beneficiation initiatives across the region.
According to Dube, the ultimate goal is to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and promote meaningful value chain development within SACU member states.
The meeting coincides with the 40th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty King Mswati III, which Dube described as a milestone reflecting stability, resilience and a commitment to national development.
He urged delegates to use the platform to share knowledge, forge partnerships and develop practical strategies that would contribute to a more integrated and prosperous Southern African region.
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