Programme
- Conference Programme
Eswatini Investment Conference (EIC) 2026
The EIC 2026 will be structured around five key areas designed to drive meaningful conversations on investment and further influence policy direction by providing realistic policy recommendations and insights into Eswatini’s investment agenda.Â
Day 1
29th July 2026, Business Dinner
Day 2
30th July 2026, Full Day Conference
Day 3
31st July 2026, Half Day Conference
Industrialization, Industrial Parks and SEZs
The enactment of the Special Economic Zones Act (2018) laid the foundation for structured SEZ development, with the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) designated as a flagship SEZ focused on technology, innovation, and high-value manufacturing. In addition, the KMIII International Airport SEZ presents large-scale industrial development opportunities linked to logistics, agro-processing, and export-oriented industries with enormous potential for creation of a cargo hub.
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The Industrial Policy (2023–2033) provides a strategic framework to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and private-sector participation. His Majesty’s desire is for Government to drive an ambitious plan of establishing at least one Industrial Park for each of the four regions of Eswatini. Leveraging its strategic location within SACU, SADC, AfCFTA and other trade frameworks. Eswatini is positioning itself as a competitive regional manufacturing and export hub.
Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP) Grand Opportunity
The Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme (MNWAP) presents a transformational opportunity for sustainable water security, economic growth, and regional development. As water demand continues to increase due to population growth, agricultural expansion, industrial development, and climate variability, the need for reliable and resilient water infrastructure has become critical.
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The MNWAP is strategically positioned to enhance water security, support agriculture expansion, create jobs and most importantly act a catalyst to stimulate economic growth. The MNWAP project presents opportunities for Private Public Partnerships and joint venture investment opportunities to the private sector. The project presents multiple opportunities in infrastructure development, agriculture, property, transportation, health.
Catalysing Investment in Eswatini’s Aviation Sector
Eswatini has been actively improving its regional air connectivity through formal agreements and partnerships that support travel, tourism, business links, and economic integration. Eswatini aims to become better connected within Southern Africa linking its hub in King Mswati III International Airport. The country is in the process of opening other regional routes that will boost the tourism sector into the country. Skill and demand in aviation is rising as the sector grows.
Opportunities in the Green Economy
The Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII), launched at COP28 seek to foster a strong African position as a global hub for green manufacturing and industrial transformation. Additionally, the AGII seeks to unlock green industries and value chains, ensure an active and structured circular economy as well as green climate financing for creating job opportunities especially for the youth. Central to this initiative are priorities including focus on:
- Renewable energy power generation, transmission, balancing and storage
- Value addition to critical minerals and metals
- Green hydrogen production and its downstream products
- Sustainable synthetic fuels
- Cement production and other building materials
- Climate-resilient agricultural modernization and high-value agriculture and
- Labour-intensive and medium-technology manufacturing
The session will unpack this initiative and other its inherent investment and finance opportunities.
Mining and Mineral Value Addition Opportunities in Eswatini
Eswatini is endowed with a variety of minerals resources including gold diamond, kaolin and coal as well as industrial metals such as iron ore, manganese, titanium, and vanadium. But recent airborne geophysical surveys reveal traces of critical and emerging minerals for further exploration including uranium and thorium, rare earths, boron, rubidium etc.
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The Mining sector has contributed less to the gross domestic product (GDP) for the past years. Recent government statements and strategic planning show a clear intent to expand mining’s contribution to the economy. Eswatini currently exports mostly raw or minimally processed minerals. These products fetch much lower prices internationally compared with refined or value-added mineral products. The broader strategic intent includes local value addition to increase export revenue by selling high-value products, create jobs in processing, manufacturing, and related services and build local industrial capacity and skills. Eswatini being part of the regional markets presents an opportunity to export value added products duty.
Unpacking Opportunities in The Agro-Industrial Park
The development of the Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Water Augmentation project offers numerous investment opportunities. One such opportunity is the development of the Agro-industrial Park by the private sector. The large-scale irrigation project (MNWAP) has selected cotton as the anchor summer crop through a value chain analysis. Cotton value chain offers a 10X multiplier when vertically integrated. The industrial park which is finalising a feasibility study will focus on processing different crops starting with the cotton which will be grown by local farmers in joint partnerships with large-scale farmers.
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The session will unpack the opportunities presented by the Agro-Industrial Park which will see the establishment of the cotton value chain from cotton farming to cotton ginnery, and the establishment of textile manufacturing plant. The park will drive Eswatini’s transition from exporting raw materials to exporting finished products while also contributing to food security and attainment of SDG 1 and 2.
Investment in The Tourism Sector
As a priority area for Eswatini’s economic development, the tourism sector has great potential to contribute to job creation, GDP growth and improve livelihoods. This requires sustained investment in infrastructure such as accommodation and diversifying Eswatini’s product offering.Â
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Investment in Eswatini’s tourism sector is less about entering into a mature destination and more about shaping a destination’s next growth stage, capturing market share, and building a comparative advantage as international visibility and demand continue to grow through flagship projects such as the International Convention Centre and Five-Star Hotel which will improve Eswatini’s positioning within MICE.
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For investors, operators and stakeholders within the tourism sector, the session will go in-depth on the opportunities presented by the tourism industry, with a focus on the recently launched Eswatini Big 5 project which will establish an 87 000ha nature reserve in the Lubombo Region.