Impact Investors Signal Strong Interest in Eswatini After EU–ITC Investment Roadshow

The roadshow provided a platform for investors to engage directly with investment ready micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), explore potential partnerships, and experience Eswatini's evolving entrepreneurship ecosystem first-hand.

During the visit, investors toured several high-potential enterprises, including Beef Boys, Ngwenya Glass, Eswatini Foods, Luna Hair and Body, and Black Mamba Foods, gaining first-hand insight into the country's growing manufacturing, agro-processing, and creative sectors. The programme also created opportunities for investors to connect with additional entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners during a welcome reception, plenary sessions, and a farewell dinner, further strengthening relationships and exploring potential partnerships.

ITC

Collectively representing between SZL 3 billion and SZL 5 billion in investment capital, the five visiting investors highlighted the strong potential for Eswatini's businesses to attract new capital, expand into regional markets, and scale their operations.

According to the EU, facilitating connections between investors and entrepreneurs is key to strengthening the country's private sector and unlocking inclusive economic growth.

Eva-Maria Engdahl, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Eswatini, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in expanding financing opportunities for entrepreneurs.

"Supporting MSMEs to access alternative financing is critical for unlocking inclusive and sustainable economic growth. By connecting Eswatini's entrepreneurs with impact investors, we are helping create new pathways for businesses to scale, create jobs and access regional markets," said Engdahl.

Investors Discover Untapped Opportunities

For many of the investors, the visit exceeded expectations and revealed a pipeline of ambitious enterprises with strong growth potential.

Shiluba Mawela, Founder and Managing Partner of Tshiamo Impact Partners, described the visit as a powerful introduction to Eswatini's investment landscape.

"This has been a phenomenal trip. I came with very low expectations but was completely blown away by the quality of businesses and opportunities we encountered. There are already deals we are interested in exploring, and we see strong potential to connect some of these enterprises to markets in South Africa through retailers and offtakers."

Mawela added that the visit demonstrated that Eswatini presents an unexploited opportunity for impact investors, particularly those seeking to support high-growth MSMEs while delivering meaningful social impact.

Promising Pipeline of Investment-Ready Enterprises

Egla Ntumba, Managing Partner of MsFiT Ventures, said the roadshow revealed a promising pipeline of entrepreneurs with strong potential for growth and investment.

"Meeting the entrepreneurs here has been incredibly exciting. Even the early-stage businesses show great potential. I am looking forward to taking several of these companies through our due diligence process to see how we can support their growth."

Ntumba also highlighted the strength of Eswatini's ecosystem, noting the collaboration between entrepreneurs and policymakers that creates a conducive environment for investment.

Prepared Entrepreneurs Attract Investor Confidence

Investors also praised the preparedness and strategic thinking demonstrated by the businesses they engaged with during the roadshow.

Michael Musau of Alterfin noted that many of the enterprises showed a clear understanding of their markets, production processes, and growth strategies.

"We met enterprises that understand their markets, production processes and strategy. That level of preparedness gives investors' confidence that these businesses can grow to the next level. I feel like we already have companies where we can begin building meaningful relationships."

Similarly, Moses Kwame Amenyina Adikah, Agri-Finance Credit Analyst for Fidelity Bank Ghana, expressed confidence in the potential of Eswatini's MSMEs to attract capital and expand their operations.

"The level of preparation, financial understanding and commitment from these MSMEs truly impressed me. Their ambition to attract capital and grow their businesses shows that there is real opportunity here."

A Country Ready for Investment

Jenny Chamberlain from Altree Capital described Eswatini as an emerging investment destination with strong entrepreneurial talent.

"The companies we met surpassed my expectations. For me it is always about the people behind the businesses, and the entrepreneurs here have been exceptional. Eswatini really punches above its weight; it is an undiscovered gem."

Local Businesses Welcoming Investment Partnerships

The roadshow also created valuable opportunities for Eswatini businesses to engage directly with international investors and explore partnerships to scale their operations.

Precilla Verster of Beef Boys, one of the enterprises that engaged with investors during the programme, said the initiative created meaningful opportunities for collaboration.

"Meeting the investors was a wonderful opportunity for us. It allowed us to share our vision of growing the business, supporting local farmers, and expanding into regional and international markets. Partnerships like these can help create jobs and strengthen the livestock sector in Eswatini."

Strengthening Access to Alternative Financing

The Investors Roadshow forms part of the broader "Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances" programme, supported by the EU and implemented by ITC in partnership with the Eswatini Government, which promotes inclusive trade and the growth of the creative industries.

The roadshow builds on discussions held during the inaugural MSME Conference in November 2025, which highlighted the importance of alternative financing mechanisms in unlocking growth for small businesses.

The positive response from visiting investors signals growing confidence in Eswatini's entrepreneurial landscape and lays the foundation for new investment partnerships that could accelerate MSME growth, market expansion, and job creation across the country.

About the European Union Delegation to Eswatini

The EU Delegation to Eswatini is responsible for managing diplomatic relations between the EU and the Kingdom of Eswatini. These relations cover political relations, development cooperation, economic and trade relations as well as other areas of mutual interest between the two partners. The central objective of this partnership is to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty through sustainable development, the progressive integration of Eswatini into the world economy, and the promotion of the rule of law, democracy, and human rights.

About ITC

The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transitioning economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About the Programme

The ITC-Alliances for Action programme 'Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances', funded by the EU, supports job creation for small farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. Eswatini offers the global market unique organic produce, artisan roasted coffee, handmade cultural creations, and gourmet condiment lines.

ITC works closely with smallholder farmers, agro-processors, and artisans in Eswatini to support them in ways that are sustainable and benefit both people and the planet. In this way, ITC fosters and preserves cultural heritage, and draws on artisan skills and concepts of green growth.

Alliances for Action is an ITC initiative that seeks to transform food systems through producer partnerships that cultivate ethical, climate-smart, sustainable agricultural value chains.