Eswatini hands regional trade leadership to Namibia
Mluleki Dlamini, Eswatini's Director of MSMEs, outlined past initiatives and regional trade challenges at a Windhoek meeting.
Eswatini has transferred its leadership of the Southern African Bureau of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) to Namibia. The handover occurred during a high-level economic meeting in Windhoek from November 10 to 13, 2026, organised by the Government of Namibia and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Mluleki Dlamini, Eswatini's Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and outgoing Chairperson of the Southern African Bureau, presented initiatives from Eswatini's tenure. These included support for Angola's African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy, MSME development in Eswatini, and capacity-building for small businesses in Lesotho. Dlamini also highlighted trade barriers such as differing regulations, documentation, inadequate transport investment, and insufficient digital infrastructure.
The meeting aimed to strengthen regional trade and economic integration, with discussions focusing on persistent obstacles affecting cross-border trade. Dlamini called for harmonised regulations among regional economic communities to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services as African countries implement the AfCFTA.
Why it mattersEswatini's businesses face challenges with transportation costs, border procedures, and regulatory differences, impacting their access to larger markets.