By Ayanda Dlamini
Trade between the United Kingdom and Eswatini has grown strongly since 2022, with E1.78 billion (£82 million) worth of Eswatini goods entering the UK tariff-free under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), underscoring the agreement’s growing importance as a driver of export-led growth and business opportunities.
This was revealed at the Eswatini – United Kingdom Business Forum held at the Royal Villas. According to trade data for January 2022 to October 2025, presented by Natasha Stotesbury, Regional Trade for Development Advisor in Southern Africa, UK imports from Eswatini totaled E2.05 billion (£94.3 million).
Of this amount, E1.82 billion (£84.1 million) was eligible for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) preferences, and the vast majority of exports entered the UK market duty-free. The figures highlight both the EPA’s effectiveness and Eswatini exporters’ growing capacity to meet UK market requirements.
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are trade and development agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries, designed to foster sustainable growth and poverty reduction by integrating these nations into the global economy. Under these agreements, the EU opens its markets fully and immediately.
Trade growth has been driven largely by raw cane sugar, which remains Eswatini’s most valuable export to the UK. In 2025 alone, sugar exports accounted for nearly E868 million (£40 million), even though the data covers only part of the year.
Continued demand for Eswatini sugar reinforces the country’s strong position in agricultural exports and its competitive advantage under preferential trade arrangements.
Welcoming the figures, British Commissioner in Eswatini, Colin Wells, said the rise in trade reflects the strength of the long-standing economic partnership between the two countries and the tangible benefits of the EPA for Eswatini businesses. “The EPA is delivering real results for Eswatini exporters by improving access to the UK market and supporting jobs, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture,” he said.
“We want to see even more businesses take full advantage of the opportunities this agreement provides.” Beyond sugar, recent analyses of trade and export potential indicate significant opportunities for Eswatini to diversify its exports to the UK.
Opportunities Still Available
Studies indicate untapped potential in a range of value-added and manufactured products, including apparel (cotton T-shirts, trousers, dresses, and knitwear), processed foods (canned fruit and preserved pineapples), beverages (rum), and wood products, furniture, paper products, and printed materials. Chemical products, cosmetics, and selected machinery and electrical goods have also been identified as sectors with growth potential. The United Kingdom remains a high-value, stable market, offering consistent demand and predictable regulatory conditions.
Under the Southern African Customs Union and the Mozambique–UK Economic Partnership Agreement (SACUM-UK EPA), Eswatini exporters benefit from preferential access that enhances price competitiveness and supports long-term trade planning. Although utilization of EPA preferences has been high overall, the data show that in some years not all eligible exports fully used the available tariff-free access. This underutilisation points to further opportunities for exporters to increase margins and expand volumes by improving awareness of the agreement, strengthening compliance with rules of origin, and enhancing documentation and customs processes.
The British High Commission said it continues to work closely with the government of Eswatini and the private sector to raise awareness of trade preferences, improve exporters’ understanding of UK market requirements, and support efforts to diversify exports beyond traditional commodities.
Trade experts note that diversification will be critical to building economic resilience, reducing reliance on a narrow export base, and creating jobs across multiple sectors. Expanding into higher-value and processed goods could also strengthen Eswatini’s participation in global value chains and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Realizing this potential will require coordinated efforts among government, business, and development partners, including investment in productive capacity, skills development, logistics infrastructure, and quality assurance systems.
Ensuring consistent compliance with UK standards will be key to sustaining and scaling exports. With tariff-free access firmly in place and trade volumes rising, both Eswatini and the United Kingdom are optimistic that bilateral trade will continue to grow. As more exporters take advantage of EPA preferences and diversification gains momentum, UK–Eswatini trade is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting inclusive growth and long-term economic transformation.