Eswatini’s private-sector players, civil society, and development partners gathered at The George Hotel on Wednesday for a workshop to validate the final draft of the Citizens Economic Empowerment (CEE) Regulations, marking a significant step toward full implementation of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act of 2023.
The session brought together stakeholders from across the country to review the regulations before they were submitted for final approval. The guidelines were developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) following extensive regional consultations earlier this year.
CEE Council Chairperson Lincoln Motsa said the regulations are more than just a legislative requirement, calling them “a transformative instrument built from the voices and lived experiences of emaSwati.”
He noted that the draft reflects contributions from micro-enterprise owners striving to enter formal markets, women and youth who continue to face systemic barriers, and private-sector partners committed to expanding local participation.
“These regulations carry the fingerprints of the nation,” Motsa said. “They aim to expand access to economic opportunities, promote local ownership, strengthen supplier development, and ensure fairer procurement practices. They are grounded in the realities, challenges, and aspirations of our people.”
He urged participants to approach the workshop with seriousness and intention, noting that this session represents the final opportunity to ensure the framework is both implementable and transformative.
“The success of the CEE Regulations will not be measured by what is written on paper, but by the opportunities created, the businesses strengthened, and the citizens uplifted,” he said.
Director of MSMEs at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade (MCIT), Mluleki Dlamini, explained that the ministry collaborated with UNDP and a consultant to develop a draft that addresses sector-specific needs. He emphasized that the validation session provides stakeholders across construction, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and manufacturing with an opportunity to refine and shape the regulations before they become law.
“We are here to discuss how businesspeople benefit from procurement, tenders, and joint ventures,” he said. “By the end of the session, we hope all stakeholders will have shared submissions to ensure the regulations truly benefit their sectors.”
Consultant Zizwe Vilane, who worked closely with MCIT and UNDP Eswatini during the drafting process, guided stakeholders through the regulations section by section, allowing participants to seek clarity, question provisions, and make recommendations. Vilane encouraged delegates to highlight practical adjustments to ensure the regulations genuinely benefit Eswatini and help sustain economic activity.
Stakeholders from government ministries, civil society, parastatals, private-sector associations, and development partners actively engaged, proposing amendments and raising issues affecting their industries.
Once updated with all submissions and recommendations, the CEE Regulations will move to the final approval stage, paving the way for the implementation of one of Eswatini’s most significant economic empowerment instruments to date.