MTN Fintech has announced a major investment in local enterprise, committing E100,000 per year over the next three years as a platinum sponsor of the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair 2026.
Speaking at the official launch, CEO Sam Shongwe, represented by Rose Fakudze said the sponsorship reflects MTN Fintech’s strategic focus on empowering local businesses and accelerating digital financial inclusion across the country.
The announcement was made in the presence of Princess Sakhizwe, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, and Chairman of A Peculiar People, Melusi “Zox” Dlamini, alongside members of the Mbabane Municipal Council and other stakeholders.
Shongwe said MTN Fintech believes strong local businesses are the foundation of a resilient economy.
“When we support small businesses, women-led enterprises, and young entrepreneurs, we are strengthening the entire economic ecosystem of Eswatini,” he said.
He described the Consumer Fair as a critical platform that promotes local commerce and innovation, commending A Peculiar People for creating opportunities for Emaswati entrepreneurs to showcase and grow their businesses.
Beyond financial sponsorship, MTN Fintech will play a key role in digitising transactions at the event. All participating merchants, both formal and informal, will be onboarded onto MTN MoMo ahead of the fair. The company will also provide training and tools to help vendors accept secure digital payments.
“This initiative ensures that every entrepreneur, from first-time traders to established businesses, can fully participate in the digital economy,” Shongwe said, adding that the goal is to help small businesses grow into sustainable enterprises.
MTN Fintech noted that the partnership anchors its 2026 strategy, aiming to drive customer-centricity and embed MoMo as an essential tool for everyday life in Eswatini.
Organisers and stakeholders have welcomed the sponsorship as a significant boost to local entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and economic growth.
The Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair is set to take place on May 1 along Dr Sishayi Road in Mbabane.
The Fair has rapidly evolved from a niche local market into a high-stakes commercial platform designed to flip the country’s economic script.