The small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Eswatini has been handed a new lifeline through the launch of BuyEswatini 2.0, which promises access to wider markets.
Unveiled during the 2025 Eswatini Business Digitalisation Seminar at the FNB Business Chamber, Mavuso Trade Centre, the platform promises to break down long-standing barriers to market access, visibility, and scalability that have stifled many local businesses.
The Acting CEO of the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), Sibusiso Mnisi, described the launch as a “historic moment” for the kingdom.
“This platform is more than just a digital marketplace. It is a bridge, connecting our entrepreneurs to new customers, new markets, and new possibilities,” he said.
Mnisi added that BuyEswatini 2.0 will promote inclusive economic growth by equipping both small and large businesses with the digital infrastructure necessary to thrive in a modern economy.
Director of Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), Mluleki Dlamini, stressed that SMEs remain the heartbeat of Eswatini’s economy, creating jobs, sparking innovation, and sustaining communities.
He said the new platform will give every entrepreneur, “from the craftsperson in Lavumisa to the agro-processor in Piggs Peak,” a chance to showcase their products, tell their stories, and transact with confidence.
“This is more than a platform; it is a movement. A movement toward digital inclusion, economic diversification, and national pride,” Dlamini said.
BuyEswatini 2.0 offers a user-friendly online shop tailored to the needs of local businesses, complete with secure payment systems integrated with MTN’s MoMoPay and logistics support through the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC).
The platform also provides marketing tools to enhance brand visibility, as well as training and digital readiness support to ensure entrepreneurs are fully equipped to succeed in the digital marketplace.
Dlamini urged SMEs to take ownership of their digital future by registering and participating. “Your products deserve to be seen, your voices heard, and your businesses deserve to grow,” he said.
The platform was developed in partnership with International Integration Systems Inc. (ISI), with technical support from Taiwan. ISI International Division Project Manager, Gary Tsai, said BuyEswatini 2.0 will strengthen Eswatini’s e-commerce ecosystem by ensuring secure payments, logistics integration, and long-term commercialization strategies.
Tsai outlined a roadmap that includes the development and launch of an iOS app by November 2025, alongside capacity-building initiatives and training materials to support merchants. He further noted that the strategy would enhance marketing capacity through social media campaigns and seasonal promotions, while also highlighting Eswatini’s cultural heritage and identity in packaging and product storytelling to strengthen the appeal of local products.
“Through e-commerce, we aim to strengthen governance, promote economic growth, and close the digital divide for marginalized communities, particularly rural entrepreneurs and women,” Tsai said.
Mnisi emphasized that the initiative aligned with recent calls from the Global SME Ministerial Forum and Trade Promotion Leadership Dialogue for business support organizations to lead in helping SMEs adopt new technologies.
“Let this launch be a signal to the world: Eswatini is open for digital business. We are embracing innovation, investing in our entrepreneurs, and building the infrastructure that will carry us into a prosperous future,” Mnisi declared.