The Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, has revealed that Eswatini is advancing plans to introduce a new investment visa, offering a pathway to residency for qualifying foreign investors.
This announcement was made during an investor welcome event held at the Mountain Inn Hotel for a delegation of 30 investors from Taiwan, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China-Taiwan, Dr. Lin Chia Lung, as well as Ambassador to the Republic of China-Taiwan, Jeremy Liang.
Speaking during the event, Khumalo revealed that the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, is at an advanced stage of amending the Immigration Act.
“The revised legislation, expected to be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year, includes a provision for an Investment Visa designed to attract high-impact investors to the country. This will not grant citizenship, but it will provide legal residency to investors who meet certain criteria. If you invest above a defined threshold, employ a specific number of locals, and contribute meaningfully to our economy, there will be a clear legal pathway to residency,” he said.
Until the new law comes into effect—anticipated next year—foreign investors will still be required to apply for ordinary work permits.
Khumalo praised the growing presence of Taiwanese businesses in Eswatini, highlighting the deepening economic partnership between the two countries, stating that Eswatini is now home to 22 Taiwanese businesses.
“As His Majesty’s government, we are extremely pleased with the progress of our partnership with the private sector from the Republic of China (Taiwan). We currently have 22 Taiwanese companies operating in Eswatini, with a new addition, Paper Tech, recently launching operations in Matsapha. The company produces corrugated packaging for local and export markets. This growth reflects not only our strong diplomatic ties but also the trust Taiwanese investors have in our economy,” he added.
To further improve the ease of doing business, Khumalo also announced the establishment of a One-Stop Business Service Centre in Mbabane. The centre will house representatives from key government agencies to streamline processes such as work permits, compliance certification, and other business services.
“Whether you’re applying for a work permit, a regulatory compliance certificate, or any other service, you’ll now be able to access everything in one location,” he said. “We are training staff and equipping offices right now, and this is a major step forward in improving the ease of doing business in Eswatini,” he added.
Khumalo also emphasised Eswatini’s strategic focus on value addition and industrialisation, stating that the country aims to shift from exporting raw materials to producing finished products through advanced manufacturing.
“We want to move beyond primary manufacturing and focus on real value addition,” Khumalo explained. “This is where our long-term growth lies.”
Amid ongoing regional and global trade uncertainties, including issues related to tariffs and balance of trade, the Minister stressed the importance of “smart solutions” and regional collaboration. He commended the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA) for its role in coordinating this latest investment delegation, which brought around 30 Taiwanese business leaders to Eswatini.