EIPA AND DHL SEAL PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD EXPORT-READY SMEs

By Tlalane Dlamini

MBABANE: The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and DHL have formalised a partnership aimed at preparing local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete in international markets.

The organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at the EIPA Boardroom in Mbabane. The agreement seeks to equip businesses with the knowledge and practical skills required to move from aspiring exporters to export-ready enterprises.

The partnership combines EIPA’s Export Readiness Programme with DHL’s GoTrade Initiative, bringing together expertise in market access, customs procedures and international logistics.

EIPA Chief Executive Officer Sibani Mngomezulu said the two programmes share a common goal of helping businesses develop the capacity to trade internationally. He explained that the collaboration grew out of professional engagements between the two organisations.

COMBINING EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT EXPORTERS

Under the partnership, DHL will provide training modules covering customs, logistics and international trade through its Trade and Grow Beyond Borders curriculum. Participants will also have access to learning resources through the GoTrade Portal.

EIPA will contribute market analysis to help businesses identify demand for their products, select suitable export destinations and understand the requirements of target markets.

Mngomezulu noted that businesses could have excellent products but struggle to identify the right markets. Others might secure buyers but lack the customs knowledge and logistical capacity to fulfil orders.

The programme aims to address these challenges by combining market intelligence with practical export training.

EIPA will identify suitable SMEs through its networks and database, support training and monitor participants’ progress. Where resources permit, the authority will also provide coaching and mentoring.

SUPPORTING THE E50 BILLION EXPORT TARGET

Mngomezulu said the initiative aligns with EIPA’s strategy to develop 250 additional export-ready businesses and supports Eswatini’s ambition of reaching E50 billion in exports by 2030.

Achieving this target will require increasing the number of businesses participating in international trade while diversifying the range of products exported from Eswatini.

He said success would be measured not only by the number of businesses trained, but also by how many become export-ready, enter new markets and generate export revenue.

DHL COMMITS TO SME DEVELOPMENT

DHL Country Manager Khethang Ramalefane said collaboration was essential to economic development, describing SMEs as important drivers of national economies.

He outlined DHL’s commitments, which include strengthening SME capacity through training, sharing trade insights, providing regional logistics solutions and collaborating on Go Green initiatives.

“The real work begins now,” Ramalefane said, expressing DHL’s eagerness to begin implementing the partnership with EIPA.

REGISTRATION TO OPEN SOON

EIPA is expected to invite qualifying businesses and aspiring exporters to register, with the programme scheduled to begin in November 2026.

Mr Mngomezulu encouraged businesses with the potential to expand beyond Eswatini to look out for the registration announcement.

Participants may also benefit from mentoring, market intelligence, trade missions and market access initiatives, connecting them to a broader export support network.

The partnership marks a step towards strengthening local businesses, expanding Eswatini’s presence in international markets and contributing to the country’s long-term export growth.