The Commerce Marathon: Inside Minister Manqoba Khumalo’s May Economic Blitz

​May 2026 will be remembered as the month Eswatini’s industrial gears shifted from idle to overdrive. From the dirt of construction sites in Manzini to the high-stakes boardrooms of Mbabane, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, led by the Honourable Manqoba Khumalo, has executed a multi-front strategy aimed at one thing: Sustainable Economic Velocity.

​Here is the strategic breakdown of the month that was.

​1. The Hub’s E2 Billion Metamorphosis

​The most significant headline of the month was the official awarding of the Manzini Mall construction tender to the WBHO and J&E Joint Venture.

​This isn’t just a retail space; it is a job engine. With 3,000 personnel required for construction and 1,500 permanent roles upon completion in 2027, the Ministry is successfully facilitating one of the largest private infrastructure plays in the Kingdom’s history. The sight of Stefanutti Stocks finalizing the temporary bus rank is the first tangible sign of a new Manzini.

​2. Industrializing the Heartland: Sidvokodvo & Mankayane

​While Manzini secures the retail crown, the Ministry is quietly building an industrial spine across the country.

• ​The Metal Revolution: The Minister’s site visit to Eswatini Metal Foundries in Sidvokodvo marks a major leap for the manufacturing sector. Set to create 500 technical jobs, this facility will turn scrap metal into a high-value local supply chain.
• ​The Mankayane Blueprint: In a move toward decentralization, the Ministry (represented by Director Zamanyambose Mtetwa) reviewed plans for 81 industrial plots in Mankayane. The message is clear: every corner of Eswatini is open for business.

​3. The Diplomacy of Trade: EU Alliances & Sugar Giants

​On the international stage, the Ministry secured the Kingdom’s “Green Gold.”

• ​Sweet Success: Meeting with the leadership of ABF Sugar (parent company to Illovo and Ubombo Sugar), Minister Khumalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the industry that remains the bedrock of our regional exports.
• ​The EU Partnership: A high-level engagement with Hilde Vautmans (Africa-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly) celebrated a decade of the EU-SADC agreement. With the EU remaining our top market for sugar and textiles, this partnership ensures our SMEs stay integrated into global value chains.

​4. A New Era of Investment Governance

​The appointment of a new Board for the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), chaired by private-sector heavyweight Mr. Muzi Siyaya, signals a “Business First” approach. Tasked with improving the Ease of Doing Business, this board is the Ministry’s response to the need for faster, cleaner, and more ethical investment facilitation.

​5. The “Made in Eswatini” Pulse

​From the Mbabane Consumer Fair to the Insta Cash Win-a-Quantum handover, the Ministry spent May championing the local entrepreneur. Whether it was the Minister winning a trip to Zanzibar or purchasing local leather goods, the optics were purposeful: The government is the primary advocate for the #BuyLocalEswatini movement.

​The Source Verdict: Strategic Resilience

​Despite the unfortunate fire incident at the Ministry premises—which temporarily paused licensing services—the momentum of May remains unshakeable. The Ministry has successfully balanced Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with SME support, proving that Eswatini is not just a participant in the regional economy, but a competitive manufacturing and retail hub in its own right.

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