Eswatini businesses have been put on notice that compliance with quality standards is no longer a choice, but a fundamental requirement for survival in international export markets.
This strong message was delivered by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, during the Eswatini Standards Seminar held at Royal Villas under the theme “Unlocking Export Markets for Local Businesses through Standards and Quality Compliance.”
Addressing captains of industry, policymakers, and business leaders, the Minister emphasised that quality compliance has become the defining factor in determining whether local enterprises can access and sustain positions in lucrative international markets.
“Quality standards are not only an option, but they are basically compulsory for you to do sustainable business,” said Khumalo.
He warned that failure to comply with required standards exposes businesses to serious risks, including product rejection, export bans, and eventual closure, effectively shutting them out of global trade opportunities.
The seminar, hosted by the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA), comes at a time when Eswatini is actively pursuing an export-led growth strategy anchored on agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and other bilateral and regional trade frameworks.
Despite these opportunities, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), have been slow to take advantage of these markets.
Executive Director of the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA), Ncamiso Mhlanga, highlighted that the lack of adherence to quality standards remains a key barrier.
“Without the adoption of a quality culture by local businesses, these opportunities will continue to elude us,” Mhlanga said.
He stressed that standards and conformity assessments, including product certification, testing, and calibration, are essential for businesses seeking to compete beyond local borders.
Mhlanga further revealed that Eswatini is moving towards strengthening its legislative framework to ensure that quality standards are no longer treated as voluntary guidelines.
“Standards that must shape our economy cannot remain voluntary,” he said, underscoring the need for a regulatory environment where compliance is enforced.
This shift is expected to play a critical role in transforming the country into a competitive, export-driven economy, in line with national development priorities.
The Minister echoed this position, noting that standards act as a “critical gatekeeper” for accessing global markets and building credibility for local products.
Both the Minister and ESWASA emphasised the urgent need for investment in national quality infrastructure, including accredited laboratories for testing and calibration. Such investments, they noted, would reduce reliance on expensive external service providers and make compliance more accessible to local businesses.
In addition, efforts are underway to strengthen systems that monitor the quality of goods entering and leaving the country, to protect consumers and enhance the credibility of Eswatini products in international markets.
The seminar also highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at supporting businesses to meet quality standards, including the Ingelo Certification Scheme, which provides technical assistance, training, and infrastructure support to MSMEs.
Mhlanga expressed optimism that these interventions will help foster a national culture of quality and significantly improve the uptake of certification among local enterprises.
“We hope to see a drastic change in the uptake of certification to grow export potential,” he said.