Nhlangano – Shiselweni has recorded the highest number of handicraft business applications in the country for the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, while more than 70 per cent of applications from the region came from women-led enterprises.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo disclosed this during the Shiselweni regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards ceremony, where he said the region had demonstrated that population size does not determine the level of business ambition and innovation.
Khumalo said out of the 362 applications received nationally for this year’s awards, 93 were from Shiselweni, making it the region with the second-highest number of applications after Manzini.
“Over seventy percent of the applications from this region are women-led businesses, keeping this region among the very front of the pack on inclusive enterprise,” said Khumalo.
He said the region’s strong performance was also reflected in the number of handicraft enterprises that entered the competition, noting that Shiselweni produced more handicraft applications than any other region in the country.
The Minister said the achievement reflected the skills and creativity passed down through generations, with entrepreneurs continuing to build businesses around local knowledge and resources.
Khumalo was speaking during the fourth and final regional leg of the 20th anniversary edition of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held under the theme “20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth.”
He said the four regions had displayed different economic strengths, with Lubombo showcasing agriculture and inclusion, Hhohho demonstrating finance and balance, Manzini presenting industry and scale, while Shiselweni had highlighted the connection between craftsmanship and enterprise.
“Four regions, four different economies, one Kingdom,” he said.
Khumalo said Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) remained central to the country’s economy, adding that the government continued to create opportunities for businesses through initiatives such as the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act and the National MSME Policy 2024–2029.
He said the Ministry was working to improve access to procurement opportunities, finance and markets for local businesses.
The Minister also highlighted Shiselweni’s strategic location, pointing out that the region is home to forestry plantations that supply the timber industry and border crossings at Lavumisa and Gege.
He said the Ministry would continue supporting businesses to formalise and expand through programmes such as the Ingelo Certification Scheme, which helps local products access wider markets.
Khumalo congratulated all entrepreneurs who participated in the awards, saying that reaching the regional stage demonstrated their commitment and resilience.
“A title earned here carries weight because it has been contested, scored, and judged fairly,” he said.
He also thanked the judges for their role in assessing businesses and acknowledged sponsors, including FNB Eswatini and the FNB Foundation, which contributed over E2 million as the programme’s 20th anniversary Legacy Partner, together with ENPF, Taiwan ICDF, FINCORP and Infinity Links.
The Minister further commended the SEDCO team for coordinating the awards programme across all four regions.
Shiselweni’s winners will now proceed to the national stage of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2026, where they will compete against regional winners from across the country.
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