Presenting the organization’s 2024-2025 Progress Report to the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, the Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA) has announced growth in the country’s technical infrastructure, with the total national standards complement now reaching 392.
During the period under review, ESWASA successfully developed and gazetted 43 new national standards for the 2025-2026 cycle. These standards cover critical economic sectors, including food and agriculture, chemicals, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and electrical systems. This technical expansion is further bolstered by the harmonization of 33 additional standards from international and regional bodies such as ISO, IEC, ARSO, and SADCSTAN, which are currently awaiting gazetting.
Executive Director Mr. Ncamiso Mhlanga outlined how these standards are being translated into operational excellence through certification services. During the reporting period, 14 organizations across Eswatini were certified, while specific mentorship and training were extended to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through an ARSO-sponsored project. These efforts ensure that local products and services meet the rigorous quality requirements necessary for both domestic stability and international trade competitiveness.
The report also detailed the progress of the Ingelo Certification Scheme, which currently supports 24 participants. A major milestone in this scheme is the construction of production cottages in Lugongolweni, Mpolonjeni, and Mliba. While funding constraints have limited the pace of construction, these facilities are expected to be completed by the first week of May 2026, with handovers scheduled for the same month. Furthermore, the scheme’s impact is evidenced by the 13 MSMEs now accommodated in SEDCO estates and 35 new applicants seeking entry for the 2026-2027 period.
Despite these achievements, the presentation highlighted persistent hurdles for small businesses, including inadequate structures, limited capacity, and the slow rehabilitation of existing facilities. Minister Khumalo, in his remarks, expressed satisfaction with the organization’s trajectory, noting that the council’s focused efforts are successfully transforming ESWASA. Highlighting the rising demand for the Ingelo Certification Scheme, the Minister encouraged the organization to continue showcasing these achievements to the Government as a vital component of Eswatini’s industrial transformation.