The “Made in Eswatini” logo has been officially registered as a trademark and is now the intellectual property of A Peculiar People, which retains exclusive ownership and full legal rights to license and distribute the logo under defined governance and quality guidelines.
The Eswatini Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) formally granted the registration, marking a significant milestone in the protection, promotion, and commercialization of authentic Eswatini-made products and services.
A Peculiar People is a creative and strategic agency committed to elevating local enterprises and connecting consumers with authentic, proudly Eswatini products and services. The Made in Eswatini logo certifies the authenticity and origin of goods and services produced within the Kingdom, helping consumers easily identify and trust genuinely local offerings.
Beyond certification, the logo fosters consumer confidence and national pride, celebrating the innovation, creativity, and resilience of Eswatini’s entrepreneurs. By enhancing market visibility and competitiveness, the Made in Eswatini logo also empowers businesses to scale from local readiness to regional and export markets, positioning Eswatini globally as a source of high-quality, authentic products that embody the nation’s identity and excellence.
Commenting on the milestone, Melusi Zox Dlamini, Chairman of A Peculiar People, expressed appreciation to the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office for its professionalism and support.
“We commend the EIPO team for their professionalism and efficiency throughout this process. This milestone affirms that local is no longer informal. Local is certified and competitive,” said Dlamini.
He further confirmed that licensing of the Made in Eswatini logo will be governed by a public-private framework that brings together government and private-sector representatives to ensure transparent, inclusive, and accountable decision-making aligned with national priorities and market realities.
The registration of the Made in Eswatini Mark of Origin was publicly announced by Her Royal Highness Princess Sakhizwe during the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between A Peculiar People and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Her Royal Highness also strongly encouraged local brands and entrepreneurs to secure intellectual property protection, noting that it enables them to use the Made in Eswatini logo with confidence while safeguarding revenue streams from their brand names, trademarks, and original concepts.
Speaking during the official handover, Dr. Celucolo Dludlu, Registrar of Intellectual Property at the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office, emphasized the strategic importance of intellectual property in national development.
“As the Intellectual Property Office, we are on a mission to encourage local brands, entrepreneurs, and companies to take IP seriously. We are pleased that A Peculiar People, a local agency known for connecting consumers with local brands, has taken the initiative to secure and protect the Made in Eswatini identity,” said Dr. Dludlu.
He highlighted that the Made in Eswatini logo is a critical identifier and differentiator in a crowded marketplace, and welcomed the decision to license the mark for use by other entrepreneurs in local products and services. “This aligns with the Ministry’s broader mandate to encourage the uptake of goods and services made in Eswatini. We encourage local brands to use this mark and join the Buy Local program,” he added.
Dr. Dludlu further explained that trademark registration enables lawful licensing. “Registration now allows A Peculiar People to legally use the ® symbol, which signifies a protected trademark. This symbol may be used only by entities holding a valid certificate of registration.”
About the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office
Dr. Celucolo Dludlu serves as the Registrar of Intellectual Property at the Eswatini Intellectual Property Office (EIPO), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade. The Office administers:
• Trademarks – protecting brand names and logos
• Patents – protecting inventions
• Industrial Designs – protecting product appearance
• Copyrights – protecting creative expression, in conjunction with Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society.
EIPO also administers the registration of international IP rights in Eswatini through international bodies including WIPO and ARIPO.