AGP Executive Report

SACU Trade Talks at CTICC2: South Africa’s Cape Town will host major Southern African Customs Union meetings from 18–26 June 2026, with Eswatini among expected attendees, focusing on customs policy and boosting cross-border trade. Eswatini–Zimbabwe Agriculture Diplomacy: President Mnangagwa met Eswatini princes and the agriculture minister, but sources say no funding or timelines were announced as farms face drought and input shortages. Competition & Standards for SMEs: Eswatini’s Commerce minister says the Competition Commission and Standards Authority must help smaller businesses compete fairly against larger firms, including scrutiny of contracted workers during acquisitions. China Tariff Exclusion Explained: Analysis argues Eswatini’s lack of a Chinese embassy limits market access and follow-through needed to turn preferential tariffs into real exports. Higher Education Cooperation: Eswatini and South Africa pledged deeper collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including plans for a SADC University of Technology. ENPF Board Deadlock: Housing minister Apollo Maphalala defended the appointment of Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba to the ENPF board amid a seven-month impasse over nomination authority. Digital Payments Push: MTN encouraged developers to use Mobile Money API tech to create new revenue streams, with healthcare flagged as a key use case. Shared Water Security: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique met under INMACOM to strengthen governance of the Incomati and Maputo river basins for food security and climate resilience. Monetary Policy Caution: Eswatini’s central bank reiterated a measured stance on inflation shocks, keeping the discount rate steady while monitoring imported pressures. Green Enterprise Funding Call: Green entrepreneurs across the region, including Eswatini, are invited to pitch in the 2026 Afri GreenPitch Challenge for green-economy SME scaling support.

Food & Climate Policy: The Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) urged governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy, saying rural women already hold practical solutions for resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa, with Eswatini among the delegations. Competition & SME Access: Eswatini’s Commerce ministry says large firms can crowd out small businesses, calling on the Eswatini Competition Commission and Eswatini Standards Authority to help SMEs compete fairly through stronger mandates and resources. Central Banking & Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini reiterated a cautious monetary stance amid inflation shocks, while also reporting gold reserves worth E195 million and reserve levels aimed at protecting external stability. Agriculture & Trade Links: Eswatini and South Africa reaffirmed cooperation in higher education, science, innovation and ICT, with plans for knowledge-based industries and regional tech capacity. Water Security: Eswatini’s Natural Resources minister stressed that shared river management with South Africa and Mozambique is now an economic necessity, not just an environmental duty, under INMACOM. Industry & Business Updates: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa appointed a new Namibia GM, and UD Trucks Southern Africa convened its 2026 importer and dealer conference to align network growth plans across Africa.

Food & Agriculture: Rural women smallholder farmers are urging governments to put women at the centre of food and climate policy, arguing they already hold solutions for resilient food systems across Southern and Eastern Africa, with Eswatini among participating countries. Trade & Standards: Eswatini’s Competition Commission and Standards Authority are being pushed to help SMEs compete fairly against large firms, with lawmakers stressing stronger mandates, resources and monitoring of contracted workers after acquisitions. Finance & Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it’s keeping a cautious monetary stance amid imported inflation, while also reporting gold reserves worth E195 million and reserve levels aimed at protecting external stability. Digital & Payments: MTN Mobile Money is encouraging developers to use MoMo APIs to create new revenue streams, including business-to-customer payments and sector apps such as healthcare. Industry & Business Growth: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa appoints a new GM in Namibia, while UD Trucks Southern Africa convenes importers and dealers across the region to align strategy and expand growth. Water & Development: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique are strengthening cooperation on shared Incomati and Maputo watercourses, linking water governance to agriculture, energy and climate resilience. Logistics & Transport: DR Congo’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol could unlock cheaper private rail finance across the SADC network, with potential opportunities for regional manufacturers. Green Entrepreneurship: GreenCape and partners invite Eswatini green SMEs to pitch for the 2026 Afri GreenPitch Challenge, targeting market-ready solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management. Regional Security & Labour: A crackdown on undocumented workers and a textile factory employer in South Africa highlights ongoing labour compliance pressure across the region.

Retail Expansion: vida e caffè marked a major milestone with the opening of its 400th store in Cape Town, growing from a single Kloof Street café in 2001 into a pan-African coffee and lifestyle brand with outlets across Eswatini and other Southern African markets. Poultry & Food Supply: Namibia reported 6.9 million chickens marketed in April 2026, up 12.3% year-on-year, while egg marketing rose 27.5%—signals of resilient demand and shifting import patterns. Trade & Tariffs: A commentary on Eswatini’s missed China preferential tariff framework points to gaps in institutional trade support, including the absence of a China embassy in Mbabane, limiting market access follow-through. Digital Payments: MTN encouraged developers to use Mobile Money (MoMo) APIs to build new revenue streams, with healthcare highlighted as a key sector for app-based payments. Eswatini Finance & Resilience: The Central Bank of Eswatini kept a cautious monetary stance amid inflation shocks and reported gold reserves worth E195 million, while warning reserves remain closely monitored. Regional Water Security: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique reaffirmed cooperation on shared rivers through INMACOM, linking water management to food security and economic resilience. AI Skills for Government: Eswatini Revenue Service signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy via the UNESWA AI Academy. Creative Industry Funding: ESWACOS launched a fund for creativity and artist development with grants up to E5,000, drawing mixed reactions over the size of support. Business & Transport: Airlink moved to fill Compair slots on Zimbabwe routes, including increased flights into Harare, supporting tourism recovery.

Poultry & Food Supply: Namibia’s poultry market shows momentum, with 6.9 million chickens marketed in April 2026 (up 12.3% year-on-year) and egg marketing rising to 41.9 million units (up 27.5%), while poultry imports fell 11.4% to 7.1 million kg—Poland and Brazil remain the biggest suppliers. Digital Payments for Business: MTN says its Mobile Money API is opening new revenue paths for developers and firms, enabling app-based payments and transactions, with healthcare flagged as a key early beneficiary. Trade & Tariffs (Eswatini-China): A new analysis argues Eswatini’s exclusion from China’s preferential tariff framework is driven less by politics and more by missing institutional trade support—specifically, China’s lack of an embassy presence in Mbabane. Regional Infrastructure Finance: DR Congo’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol strengthens the legal basis for financing rail rolling stock across SADC, with Eswatini listed among countries considering adoption. Water & Agriculture Resilience: Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique are pushing coordinated management of shared Incomati and Maputo river basins through INMACOM to support food security and climate preparedness. Monetary Policy: The Central Bank of Eswatini keeps a cautious stance, maintaining the discount rate at 6.75% and avoiding aggressive hikes amid imported inflation pressures. AI Skills for Government Revenue: ERS and the University of Eswatini launch an AI literacy programme to train 650 ERS employees through UNESWA’s AI Academy. Creative Industry Funding: ESWACOS rolls out a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development with grants up to E5,000, drawing mixed reactions over the size of support. Labour & Compliance: A separate report highlights enforcement actions against labour violations in a textile factory, including arrests of undocumented workers and the employer.

US-Africa Influence Watch: A new analysis asks whether Washington is still a strategic partner in Africa or shifting to a narrower, more transactional approach tied to migration control and minerals access. Wildlife & Trade Enforcement: Court cases traced a pipeline of illegal rhino horn from southern Africa into China, showing how trafficking routes keep adapting even as poaching trends fluctuate. Digital Economy & Fraud: Rwanda’s fraud rates fell in 2025, but the risk moved “upstream” to identity and account creation—an alert for digital services across the region. Education & Innovation Links: Eswatini and South Africa renewed cooperation on higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including plans for a SADC University of Technology. Customs & Trade Rules: WCO-backed training is building national pools of rules-of-origin experts to help countries use free trade agreements correctly. Green Enterprise Funding: Green entrepreneurs in eSwatini can apply for the Afri GreenPitch Challenge to pitch scalable circular economy, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture solutions. Central Bank Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it has added gold reserves worth E195 million while keeping a cautious stance on inflation pressures. Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warns some food prices may rise as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers. Water Security for Growth: Eswatini’s minister stresses shared-river cooperation with South Africa and Mozambique as key to energy, farming and climate resilience. AI Skills for Government: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy. Creative Sector Funding: ESWACOS launched a fund for creativity and artist development, offering grants up to E5,000—sparking debate over whether it’s enough. Labour & Migration Enforcement (Region): A crackdown in South Africa targeted undocumented workers at a textile factory, underlining ongoing pressure on labour compliance and migration. Energy & Engineering (Regional): South Africa’s grid-connection push highlights NECRT solutions as renewable projects scale.

Higher Education & Innovation: Eswatini’s PM Russell Mmiso Dlamini met South Africa’s Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande, reaffirming plans to deepen cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and ICT, including support for the proposed SADC University of Technology. Trade Facilitation: With WCO backing, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and others have been trained as origin-determination “trainers of trainers” under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme to help firms use preferential trade rules correctly. Green Entrepreneurship: GreenCape and partners invite Eswatini green SMEs to pitch in the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge, targeting scalable solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste and water management. Financial Integrity: SADC finance officials urged stronger anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism financing cooperation; only Angola, Botswana and Eswatini have signed the 2025 agreement so far. Local Industry Skills: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy, using the UNESWA AI Academy to support responsible digital transformation. Creative Sector Funding: ESWACOS launched a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development offering grants up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and other copyright-linked projects.

SADC Finance Integrity: Botswana’s acting finance minister urged SADC to tighten collaboration against money laundering and terrorist financing, noting vulnerabilities tied to imports, weak diversification and external shocks—only Angola, Botswana and Eswatini have signed the 2025 anti-money laundering agreement. Central Banking & Reserves: Eswatini’s central bank kept a cautious stance amid inflation shocks and said it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, with reserves at E8.8bn (about two months of import cover). Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warned consumers may face higher prices as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers, with some cost pass-through expected in categories like mayonnaise. Regional Water Security: Eswatini’s natural resources minister said shared river management is now an economic necessity, linking cooperation to energy, farming output and climate resilience. Aviation & Connectivity: Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority and SASO ran an ICAO workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings to support safer, trade-friendly air infrastructure. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opened applications for a creativity and artist development fund offering up to E5,000 per project, as creatives debate whether the amounts are enough. AI Skills for Revenue Service: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy.

Child Nutrition Drive: Deputy PM Thulisile Dladla, MP Mduduzi Matsebula and Eswatini Mobile CEO Sydney Sichula visited Mahlatsini Neighbourhood Care Point, distributing food packs to orphaned and vulnerable children and highlighting the NCP’s growth from “under a tree” support to a structured care centre. Climate Risk & Preparedness: A new warning flags that El Niño conditions could build later in 2026, urging Eswatini to treat preparedness as an investment after the E3.8bn economic hit from past climate shocks. Monetary Policy Watch: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it will stay cautious amid inflation pressures, keeping the discount rate steady and using tools beyond interest-rate hikes to protect households. Reserves Update: CBE also reported gold reserves worth E195 million and noted reserves levels and import cover remain under close monitoring. Food & Consumer Costs: Tiger Brands warns some food prices may rise as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers, with cost pressures hardest in categories like mayonnaise. ENPF Board Dispute: Housing Minister Apollo Maphalala defended Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba’s ENPF board appointment amid a seven-month deadlock over nomination interpretation. Regional Water Security: Natural Resources Minister Prince Lonkhokhela stressed that shared rivers are key to economic growth, backing coordinated management under INMACOM for Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique. Aviation & Connectivity: ESWACAA and SASO ran an ICAO regional workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings, aimed at safer, more efficient air infrastructure. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opened applications for a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development, offering up to E5,000 per project for music, film, literature and related copyright work. AI Skills for Tax Staff: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees through an AI literacy programme, building capacity for digital transformation.

Monetary Policy Watch: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it will keep a cautious stance as global inflation shocks bite, choosing not to raise rates and instead using its policy tools to protect households amid imported oil and food pressures. Aviation & Tourism Links: Airlink has taken over Compair’s Zimbabwe slots, adding daily Johannesburg–Harare flights and boosting regional travel confidence, with connections including Sikhuphe in Eswatini. ENPF Governance Tension: Housing Minister Apollo Maphalala defends Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba’s ENPF board appointment, arguing the nomination followed the law as a seven-month deadlock continues. Shared Water for Growth: Natural Resources Minister Prince Lonkhokhela says cooperation on shared rivers through INMACOM is now an economic necessity for energy, farming and climate resilience across Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique. Reserves Build-Up: The CBE reports gold reserves worth E195 million, acquired to diversify holdings and strengthen external stability. Food Prices Ahead: Tiger Brands warns some food categories may see price hikes as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers. AI Skills for Tax Staff: ERS and UNESWA will train 650 employees through an AI literacy programme to support responsible adoption and digital transformation. Creative Funding Push: ESWACOS launches a fund for creativity and artist development, offering up to E5,000 per project for local copyright works. Regional Fisheries Oversight: SADC renews the MCSCC board in Maputo, keeping Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso on the team as the region targets illegal fishing and better vessel governance.

ENPF Governance Dispute: Minister Apollo Maphalala has defended Inyatsi Construction CEO Derrick Shiba’s appointment to the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) Board, saying his ministry followed the law and that duties shifted from the old Local Administration portfolio to Housing and Urban Development. The move comes as the board’s seven-month impasse leaves it effectively unable to function. Water & Growth: Natural Resources Minister Prince Lonkhokhela says shared river cooperation is now a key economic development tool, not just an environmental duty, pointing to INMACOM’s role in managing the Incomati and Maputo basins across Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique. Central Bank Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, acquired to diversify holdings and strengthen reserve resilience amid global risks. Food Industry Pressure: Tiger Brands warns consumers may face higher prices as fuel, logistics and input costs squeeze manufacturers, with some cost increases likely unavoidable in categories like mayonnaise. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS has launched a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development under the CIDF, offering grants up to E5,000 for creators to take projects from concept to completion. AI Skills for Revenue Service: ERS signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 employees in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy, aiming to boost responsible use and digital readiness. Regional Fisheries Oversight: SADC renewed the board of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, keeping Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso on the team as the region pushes harder against illegal fishing.

Central Banking & Reserves: Eswatini’s Central Bank says it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, bought to diversify holdings and strengthen resilience, with gross official reserves averaging E11.5 billion in 2025 and E8.8 billion as of May 29. Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warns selected food prices may rise as fuel, logistics and input costs keep squeezing manufacturers, with some cost pressure likely to be passed to consumers in categories like mayonnaise. Tax, Skills & Digital Services: Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) signed an MoU with UNESWA to train 650 staff in AI literacy through the UNESWA AI Academy, aiming to boost responsible use of AI in its mandate. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opened applications for a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development, offering grants up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and related copyright work, with creatives debating whether the amounts are enough. Regional Trade & Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, covering Eswatini among 13 countries. Aviation & Infrastructure: ESWACAA and SASO hosted an ICAO regional workshop on Aircraft Classification Rating/Pavement Classification Rating (ACR/PCR), pushing harmonised standards to support trade and connectivity. Tourism & Services: MTN Bushfire Festival drove 26,774 arrivals into Eswatini over two days, with Ngwenya Border Post handling 12,517 and the event estimated to generate about E121 million annually. Energy & Grid Integration (Regional): South Africa’s renewable buildout highlights NECRT-related grid-connection equipment needs, with ACTOM pointing to completed solar projects and transformer supply milestones. Regional Health Safety: A regional forum in Nairobi discussed strengthening nuclear and radiation safety in healthcare, with Eswatini among participating countries. Diplomacy & External Relations: China again criticised Taiwan’s alleged “dollar diplomacy” tied to Eswatini, alleging large financial support around a recent Taiwanese leader’s visit.

Central Banking & Reserves: The Central Bank of Eswatini says it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, adding 2,500 ounces in July 2025 to diversify and protect national assets, with gross official reserves averaging E11.5 billion in 2025. Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warns consumers may face higher prices as fuel, logistics and raw material costs squeeze manufacturers, with some categories like mayonnaise likely to see cost-push increases. Tax & Digital Skills: Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) signed an MoU with the University of Eswatini to train 650 ERS employees in AI literacy via the UNESWA AI Academy. Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS launched a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development under the Creative Industries Development Fund, offering up to E5,000 per project for music, film, literature and related copyright work. Aviation & Infrastructure: ESWACAA and SASO hosted an ICAO regional workshop on Aircraft Classification Rating/Pavement Classification Rating to help harmonise standards and support trade and connectivity. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed the board of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre, keeping Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso on the board as the region pushes back against illegal fishing. Tourism & Services: MTN Bushfire Festival drove major border and airport traffic, with Ngwenya Border Post recording 12,517 arrivals and the event estimated to generate about E121 million annually.

Gold & Reserves: Eswatini’s Central Bank says it now holds gold reserves worth E195 million, adding 2,500 ounces in July 2025 to diversify and protect the economy; Food & Manufacturing Costs: Tiger Brands warns consumers in the region may face higher prices as fuel, logistics and raw material costs keep squeezing manufacturers, with some cost increases likely in oil-heavy categories like mayonnaise; AI for Public Service: The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) signs an MoU with the University of Eswatini to train 650 ERS staff through an AI literacy programme, aiming to boost responsible use of AI in its mandate; Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS opens applications for a Fund for Creativity and Artist Development under the CIDF, offering grants up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and related copyright work; Aviation & Trade: ESWACAA and SADC Aviation Safety Organisation host an ICAO workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings, pushing harmonised standards to support safer, smoother air connectivity; Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renews the board leadership of the fisheries monitoring and surveillance centre in Maputo, with Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso among board members.

AI Skills for Revenue Service: Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) signed an MoU with the University of Eswatini to train 650 ERS employees through a UNESWA AI Academy programme, aiming to build practical, responsible AI literacy for digital transformation. Copyright Funding for Creatives: ESWACOS opened applications for its Fund for Creativity and Artist Development under the Creative Industries Development Fund, offering grants up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and related copyright work, with creatives debating whether the amounts are enough. Regional Health Safety: A Nairobi forum hosted by Kenya’s nuclear regulator and supported by the IAEA brought together health and regulatory leaders from Eswatini and other countries to strengthen nuclear and radiation safety systems in healthcare. Aviation Standards for Trade: ESWACAA and SASO ran an ICAO regional awareness workshop on Aircraft Classification Rating/Pavement Classification Rating (ACR/PCR), focusing on harmonised air infrastructure standards to support connectivity and commerce. Fisheries Monitoring Leadership: SADC renewed the board of its Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, keeping Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso on the board as the region pushes back against illegal fishing. Energy and Industry Signals: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Southern Africa director of regional operations, covering Eswatini, as the bank continues financing major infrastructure and industrial projects across the region.

Creative Industries Funding: ESWACOS has opened applications for its Fund for Creativity and Artist Development under the Creative Industries Development Fund, offering grants of up to E5,000 for music, film, literature and related copyright work, with projects ranging from recording and video production to publishing, marketing and digital distribution—though creatives are already debating whether the amounts are enough to cover real production costs. Healthcare Safety & Regulation: A regional forum in Nairobi is bringing together health and nuclear regulators from across Africa, including Eswatini, to strengthen public health systems and the safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies, with delegates expected to shape an action plan. Aviation & Trade Infrastructure: ESWACAA and SASO hosted an ICAO regional awareness workshop on Aircraft and Pavement Classification Rating (ACR/PCR), focusing on harmonised standards to keep runways and airfields fit for growing regional air traffic and trade. UN Development Push: The UN launched its UNSDCF 2026–2030 in Eswatini, targeting human capital, private sector jobs, climate resilience and inclusive governance, with an estimated E51.84 billion investment and a focus on MSMEs. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed the board leadership of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, keeping Eswatini’s Boy Ronald Mavuso on the board as the region steps up action against illegal fishing. Energy & Investment Watch: King Mswati III reported renewed interest from Azerbaijan and the UAE in investment opportunities tied to SDG delivery, including infrastructure, housing, healthcare and skills development.