Business Eswatini (BE) and the British High Commission have agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, and skills development following a high-level meeting between BE leadership and His Excellency Colin Wells, the British High Commissioner to Eswatini.
The meeting, held at the BE War Room, served to reinforce the long-standing partnership between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Eswatini, with a sharp focus on enhancing trade, addressing mutual economic interests, and unlocking new opportunities for the Eswatini business community.
The dialogue, characterized by a spirit of optimism and collaboration, explored avenues for economic growth amidst a dynamic global landscape. The BE leadership team provided a comprehensive overview of the local economic context, noting the impressive 6.1% GDP growth projection for 2025, driven significantly by private sector initiatives and fiscal spending. The critical challenge of job creation was acknowledged, with BE reaffirming its role as a key partner to the Government in addressing this priority.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of BE, E.Nathi Dlamini, highlighted the valuable contributions of British member companies operating within the country. He alluded to the current geopolitical shifts and the need for strategic intelligence to navigate this new era, ensuring Eswatini’s economy remains resilient and competitive.
The meeting yielded several concrete areas for continued collaboration:
1. Deepening Trade Relations: Both parties acknowledged the UK as a vital partner, particularly through the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The discussion highlighted the strategic importance of Eswatini’s sugar exports to the UK market. The British High Commissioner expressed a keen interest in attracting more UK investment and exports into the UK, noting the potential for tariff-free access for Eswatini businesses under existing frameworks. Plans were discussed for the UK to have a more active presence at key local trade events, such as the Eswatini International Trade Fair.
2. Investment in People and Skills: The UK’s Chevening Scholarship programme received high praise from BE for its role in investing in the soft skills and policy development expertise of emaSwati. The Commissioner emphasised the rich cross-cultural experiences gained by scholars. This commitment to human capital development was seen as fundamental to sustainable growth.
3. Facilitating Business and Travel: Acknowledging past challenges, the High Commission noted that access to UK visas is being improved through technological advancements. The goal is to streamline the application process, reducing the need for applicants to travel to Pretoria for biometrics, thereby facilitating travel for business, leisure, and study.
4. Financing Green Growth: Opportunities through UK Export Finance, particularly for green energy projects, were explored. Specific interest was shown in supporting Eswatini’s sugar industry and projects that align with global shifts towards sustainable energy.
5. Strengthening Governance: The discussion also touched on the importance of a transparent business environment. The UK side emphasised that reducing exposure to corruption is key to unlocking Eswatini’s full investment potential and ensuring that economic benefits are widely shared.
The British High Commissioner reflected on the deep and illustrious shared history between the two nations. He reiterated the UK’s commitment to Africa, focusing on poverty reduction, dignity of work, and regulated migration that creates avenues for talented individuals.
“The UK is keen to develop this partnership further,” stated the British High Commissioner. “We see BE as a vital partner in the private sector and look forward to working together to draw interest and uptake in the significant opportunities we are developing, for the mutual benefit of both our countries.”
Meanwhile, Dlamini concluded by reiterating their willingness to partner. “We are optimistic about the future and committed to working with the British High Commission to translate these discussions into tangible benefits for the private sector, particularly in job creation and technological advancement for our youth. This is a partnership geared towards a prosperous and secure future for Eswatini.”