The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) Chief Executive Officer, Sibani Mngomezulu says as a government agency they are working hard to position Eswatini as the premier investment destination in the Southern African region.
Speaking during the official launch of the Eswatini Investment Conference 2025, held at The Royal Villas earlier today, Mngomezulu noted that the conference is a perfect opportunity for the country to position itself appropriately as it competes for investment with other countries.
“As economies, we compete with each other for investment, and those that win are those that are resilient and can withstand turbulent times.”
In attendance was the country’s Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who delivered the keynote address, the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, the Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, Dr. Phil Mnisi, captains of industry, comprising of both the public and private sectors, senior government representatives, as well as relevant stakeholders.
Themed “CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RAPID ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION” the investment conference aims to attract foreign and domestic investment and is an extension of the various strategic engagements Eswatini has been having with prospective investors worldwide.
“The conference will be attended by key local, regional, and global stakeholders as well as various government and private sector participants in Eswatini’s business community including investors, financiers, economic development support institutions, financial intermediaries, and policymakers,” the CEO stated.
Mngomezulu noted that the conference which is the first of its kind will showcase why investors should come and set up in the kingdom. “We will be speaking to a pipeline of projects and telling investors why Eswatini is the place to do business. We are partnering with businesses and various chambers. More partners will be announced as the event draws closer.”
The CEO further noted that the conference will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs in the country, thereby improving the lives of emaSwati. He revealed that registration for the conference opens next week and several companies have already signed up.
Meanwhile, the PM when delivering the keynote address noted that the investment conference will play a significant role in accelerating the pace of the country’s ambitious economic growth target of 12% per annum.
“As part of achieving this target, we are implementing relevant programmes and policy strategies which are boldly outlined in the government programme of action for the period 2023 – 2028.” The conference falls in line with the Nkwe initiative announced by His Majesty in 2023,” the PM noted.
The conference will kick off with a gala dinner for high-level business and government stakeholders on 14 May. Those who wish to purchase tickets to the conference will receive further details in due course.
The second day of the conference, 15 May 2025, will be a combination of panel discussions, business presentations, and B2B meetings all aimed at marketing the Kingdom of Eswatini to potential investment partners from around the world.