EU, ITC Recognized for Outstanding Contribution to Eswatini’s Export Development
EIPA officially presented the Trade Support Initiative of the Year Award to the EU and ITC on 30 October 2025 at Mountain View hotel in Mbabane.
The award presentation followed the 4th edition of the Eswatini National Exporters Awards (ENEXA), which took place during the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2025 which ran from August 29 to September 8, 2025, at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre in Manzini.
EU in Eswatini
The award celebrates the success of the “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 programme has been lauded for strengthening Eswatini’s export ecosystem by empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing institutional capacity, and supporting trade policy reforms that promote sustainable growth.
The handover event also marked the presentation of certificates to 17 newly trained local experts who completed the ITC Market Analysis Tools Training of Trainers Programme, aimed at equipping Eswatini with sustainable in-country trade intelligence expertise.
In his acceptance remarks, EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg, expressed appreciation to EIPA for the honour, describing it as a reflection of the strong and results-driven partnership between the EU, the Government of Eswatini, and national trade institutions.
“The European Union has long believed that trade and competitiveness are engines of sustainable development. This award reaffirms that our collaboration with Eswatini is making a real difference, empowering MSMEs, strengthening trade institutions, and opening new opportunities for Eswatini’s products in international markets,” he said.
Ambassador Mecklenburg highlighted several key achievements stemming from the EU, ITC, and EIPA partnership, including the establishment of the Eswatini Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS), development of the National E-Commerce Strategy, revision of the EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Plan, and the certification of local trainers on ITC’s Market Analysis Tools.
Delivering remarks at the event, EIPA Chief Executive Officer, Sibani Mngomezulu, commended the EU and ITC for their consistent and impactful support in advancing Eswatini’s export growth.
“Through our partnership with ITC, supported by the European Union, we have strengthened Eswatini’s trade support systems and created new pathways for SMEs to access international markets. This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision,” he said.
The CEO also congratulated EIPA staff who completed the ITC training. He further encouraged them to use their expertise to extend the benefits of the programme to local exporters and business support organizations.
One of the 17 newly certified ITC Market Analysis Tools trainers, Nelson Tsabedze said the collaboration has enhanced both his professional and personal development.
“Working with the ITC has helped us a lot in terms of knowledge and capacity. We are now able to impart knowledge to various start-ups, making them export-ready and helping them explore opportunities in the global market. On a personal level, the training has developed my capacity as a certified trainer under the ITC Market Analysis Tools, and broadened my expertise, which has enabled me to expand the service offerings of my firm, NMT Consulting,” he said.
The Trade Support Initiative of the Year Award is among 13 categories under ENEXA, which honours excellence among exporters, business support organizations, and development partners. The initiative underscores the Government of Eswatini’s goal of positioning exports at the centre of the country’s economic growth agenda and achieving E50 billion in exports by 2030.
The EU and ITC reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting Eswatini’s economic transformation, with a focus on innovation, value addition, and global market integration for local enterprises.
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.
