SAIMSA GAMES BOOST ESWATINI TOURISM AND TRADE

By Ntokozo Zwane

The 2026 Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games are set to create significant opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs and service providers as Eswatini prepares to welcome thousands of municipal employees and officials from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The week-long games are scheduled to officially open this Sunday at the Mavuso Sports Centre and will bring together more than 60 municipalities from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia and Eswatini. Approximately 7,000 municipal employees and officials are expected to participate, creating increased demand across the tourism, hospitality, retail, transport, food and creative sectors.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is encouraging businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of trading opportunities available throughout the games. Events will be hosted at several venues along the Mbabane to Manzini corridor, including Mavuso Trade Centre, Voctim, UNESWA Kwaluseni Campus, Correctional Services, Malkerns Country Club, Somhlolo National Stadium, OlympiaAfrica, Prince of Wales and Coronation Park.

For informal businesses, trading fees are set at E200 for the full event period or E80 per day, while formal businesses will pay E450 for the full period or E200 per day. Permitted products include food, hot and cold beverages, fresh produce, clothing and sportswear, arts and crafts, souvenirs and memorabilia.

Beyond direct trading, the games provide businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a regional audience. Companies and organisations interested in marketing their brands are also encouraged to submit proposals to the SAIMSA Games LOC for potential commercial partnerships and brand exposure.

The sporting programme will feature soccer, netball, volleyball, golf, pool, darts, cycling, half marathon, fishing and mlabalaba. The diverse programme is expected to generate movement between host venues while supporting demand for accommodation, restaurants, transport, entertainment and other visitor-focused services.

For Eswatini’s tourism and investment landscape, the games represent more than a sporting gathering. They provide a platform for local enterprises to connect with visitors from across the region while showcasing the Kingdom’s capacity to host large-scale regional events.

Businesses interested in participating are urged to register by 12 noon on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as late applications may not be considered. Terms and conditions apply.

The 2026 SAIMSA Games will conclude on Friday, September 25, 2026.