By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has intensified its efforts to transform local trade through the BuyEswatini 2.0 e-commerce platform, urging businesses to take advantage of this digital tool to expand their market reach.
Speaking during a business digitalization training session held at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) on December 3, 2024, EIPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sibani Mngomezulu, emphasized the project’s alignment with the organization’s trade promotion mandate and its broader vision for local economic growth.
“EIPA is committed to ensuring that trade in Eswatini is represented holistically through this platform, exposing local production to buyers and sellers domestically and internationally,” the CEO noted.
The BuyEswatini 2.0 platform is an upgrade from the original BuyEswatini.com, incorporating essential transactional functionalities such as payment gateways and delivery services. This development aims to make the platform a comprehensive trading hub for local businesses.
EIPA partnered with Taiwan’s International Integrated Systems Inc. (IISI), a company specializing in e-commerce platform development, to execute this project. The partnership follows a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2024 between Eswatini and Taiwan, emphasizing the countries’ diplomatic relations and collaborative efforts to promote economic development.
“The introduction of payment and delivery functions will bring transformative convenience to businesses, ensuring seamless trade within and beyond Eswatini’s borders,” Mngomezulu added.
As part of the project’s execution, EIPA has engaged key stakeholders, including traders, payment platform providers, ICT regulators, manufacturers, and academic institutions. In October 2024, a workshop was conducted to introduce the Business Digitalization Project and gather insights from various sectors.
A crucial element of the project is the involvement of UNESWA students and graduates, who were trained to assist businesses in setting up their digital presence on the BuyEswatini 2.0 platform.
“The goal is to share new skills with the students and graduates and provide them with an opportunity to experience the trade environment firsthand which can bring self-employment opportunities,” the CEO noted.
The CEO extended his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the university for their support and proposed formalizing the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding to sustain future partnerships.
EIPA projects that BuyEswatini 2.0 will go live in March 2025. To meet this deadline, efforts will focus on accelerating the platform’s digital marketing strategy, campaign planning, and performance tracking. The goal is to monitor and evaluate the platform’s impact through key performance indicators to ensure its success.
The CEO encouraged businesses to onboard the platform early, emphasizing the potential to expand their footprint and reach wider markets.
“This is not just a platform—it is a gateway to a more connected and competitive Eswatini. Let us all take part in this digital revolution,” the CEO concluded.
The launch of BuyEswatini 2.0 is expected to redefine how businesses in Eswatini operate, creating new opportunities for trade and economic growth while showcasing the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial potential on a global stage.