Eswatini’s efforts to expand its trade footprint across Africa have brewed a new success story, as Eswatini Coffee, a proudly local brand, received an enthusiastic reception in Kenya’s competitive coffee market.
This follows a strategic trade facilitation initiative by the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), which successfully connected Eswatini Coffee with two leading Kenyan enterprises, Sumseron Coffee and Café AMKA. The partnership was finalized during EIPA’s participation in the 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition.
According to Thandeka Dlamini, EIPA’s Manager for Export Trade, the collaboration reflects the Authority’s core mission of promoting and facilitating local and international trade and investment that supports Eswatini’s economic growth.
“EIPA’s role in this initiative underscores its core mandate: to attract, promote, and facilitate both local and international trade and investment activity in Eswatini that contributes to the country’s economic growth,” said Dlamini. “By connecting Eswatini Coffee with established players in Kenya’s well-known coffee industry, EIPA is opening new export opportunities for local businesses, empowering them to increase production and compete in regional value chains.”
A key highlight of the partnership was a coffee brewing and tasting session hosted in Nairobi by Café AMKA and Sumseron Coffee, where EIPA officials were welcomed to experience Eswatini Coffee’s distinctive flavor and aroma. The event celebrated both the craftsmanship behind Kenyan coffee brewing and Eswatini’s emerging coffee culture, a true blend of African heritage and enterprise. This coffee brewing experience is further recognition for Eswatini Coffee, which won Best Emerging Exporter at the Eswatini National Export Excellence Awards 2025.
Dlamini noted that while EIPA played a key facilitative role, the future of the partnership will be driven by the participating coffee enterprises themselves.
“This initiative demonstrates how intra-African trade can unlock mutual economic benefits by driving market access, cultural exchange, and business innovation across the continent,” she said.