ESWATINI SPENT E22 BILLION IMPORTING GOODS FROM SOUTH AFRICA IN 2021

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• Eswatini is struggling to meet some of its export quota allocations
• EIPA states that it is time for emaSwati to get a share of the import market

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Photo Credit: https://investeswatini.org.sz/eipa-scam-alert/

By Ntokozo Nkambule

Did you know that Eswatini imported E250 million worth of bottled water last year? As the Executive of Trade at the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), Bongani Ntshangase puts it; these are not just statistics, but opportunities for emaSwati to play in the space. 

Ntshangase disclosed this during his presentation at the Standard Bank Eswatini Economic Forum 2022. Ntshangase vehemently stated that it is time for emaSwati to venture into the space and produce goods that are being imported from South Africa and other countries. “This is an opportunity for emaSwati to trade and get a share of this market. We need to invest in the local production of the same goods being sourced from markets outside the country. Do we really have to spend E22 billion on imports? And by the way this is only South Africa and the figure excludes services. Think about it, what if we created our own industries with this amount, and think about the spin-offs that could be realized within the economy” he posited.

In terms of exports, the executive from EIPA highlighted that eSwatini exported goods valued at just over E30 billion with the bulk of exports, E20 billion going to South Africa. Furthermore, Ntshangase revealed that the country is struggling to meet its export quotas, stating that there is opportunity for players to enter the market. He advised emaSwati not to shy away from certain industries just because there are existing players, as those same players cannot meet the export quotas allocated. “An example of an export quota allocation not being fully met is in the beef industry. About three months back we had a client from Taiwan who was looking to slaughter a thousand cattle per month, and local farmers struggled with that requirement. So that goes to show that there is huge demand for exports in the country” he noted.

Opportunities on Imports for EmaSwati

Goods & Services	Annual Value	Imports Source
Petroleum Oil & Fuel	E2.7 billion	South Africa, India, Turkey, Italy
ICT & Electrical Components	E2.6 billion	South Africa, China & Taiwan
Medicines & Medical Instruments	E1.5 billion	India, United States, Turkey, Taiwan
Agricultural & Industrial Chemicals	E820 million	South Africa, India, United States, China
Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories	E1.3 billion	South Africa, India, Japan, Singapore
Cement Products, Bitumen & Asphalt	E380 million	Mozambique,, South Africa, Malaysia
Maize/Corn, Wheat & Rice	E1.1 billion	South Africa, Argentina,
Woven Fabric/Yarn	E950 million	Lesotho, India, China
Bottled Water	E250 million	South Africa

Opportunities on Exports for emaSwati

Goods & Services	Annual Value	Export Destination
Alcoholic solution & beverage concentrates	E9.4 billion	South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Sugar Cane products (raw & processed)	E6.9 billion	South Africa, Kenya, Spain, Portugal & USA
Chemical Ethly Alcohol	E650 million	South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola
Textile & Clothing	E2.9 billion	South Africa, UK, Zambia, Netherlands & Mozambique
Timber & Wood Products	E1.8 billion	South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia & Botswana
Sacks, Bags. Binders and other packaging materials	E4.2 billion	South Africa, Zambia, DRC, UK & Mozambique
Refrigerators, Freezers, and other freezing equipment	E270 million	South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi & Mozambique
Fruits, jams & other edible plants	E400 million	South Africa, UK, USA, Portugal & Japan

Statistics by Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA)

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