Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini, 30th May 2024 – H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, led a mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini from the 30th to 31st of May 2024 to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA and strengthen partnerships with the country’s institutions. The mission underscored the importance of Eswatini’s role in the AfCFTA and explored opportunities to further integrate the nation into Africa’s continental trade network.
During the visit, H.E. Mene engaged with the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira, and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade. These meetings, held at the Royal Villas Hotel, focused on collaborative efforts to support the Kingdom’s AfCFTA National Implementation Strategy. Key areas of cooperation included capacity building, youth and women’s engagement in trade, and alignment with industrial policies. A forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UNDP is expected to reinforce these efforts.
A visit to Eswatini’s Fridge Factory further highlighted the country’s potential in manufacturing and export. H.E. Mene addressed concerns around customs duties and tariff classifications, and the AfCFTA Secretariat pledged its support in facilitating the factory’s participation in intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.
The mission concluded with high-level discussions between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the National Trade Facilitation Committee. The focus was on enhancing Eswatini’s capacity to participate in AfCFTA markets, particularly through the recently adopted protocols on Digital Trade and Women and Youth in Trade.
Key Outcomes:
- Reinforced partnership between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Kingdom of Eswatini to advance AfCFTA implementation.
- Strengthened commitment to engage youth, women, and SMEs in trade activities.
- Progress towards signing an MOU with the UNDP for capacity building and technical assistance.
- Strategic initiatives to support Eswatini’s manufacturing sector and overcome trade barriers.
The AfCFTA Secretariat remains committed to working closely with the Government of Eswatini and its partners to ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA and the achievement of shared economic goals.
