Businesses in Eswatini have been urged to embrace technology, innovation and resource efficiency as key drivers of competitiveness, profitability and sustainable growth.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Eswatini Henrik Franklin said sustainability was no longer an option for businesses, but a necessity for those seeking to remain competitive in a changing economy.
Franklin was speaking during the EITF 2026 Stand Excellence Awards held at the UNDP Sustainable Centre, where exhibitors were recognised for creativity, innovation, professionalism and their commitment to sustainable growth. 
He said trade fairs provided an important platform for businesses to connect with customers, showcase products, establish partnerships and explore new markets.
“The exhibitors gathered here are helping to shape the future of Eswatini’s economy,” Franklin said.
He said the Stand Excellence Awards were about more than recognising attractive and well-designed exhibition stands, noting that sustainability had been incorporated into the judging criteria.
According to Franklin, businesses across the world were increasingly finding ways to reduce waste, improve efficiency, adopt cleaner technologies and make better use of limited resources.
“These actions are not only good for the environment, they’re important to improve competitiveness and profitability,” he said.
Franklin said businesses that embraced innovation and resource efficiency were better positioned to reduce costs, increase productivity and build resilience.
He referred to discussions held during the Powering Profitability symposium, jointly organised by the Ministry for Commerce, Industry and Trade and UNDP, together with development partners including the European Union.
He said the discussions had highlighted the importance of businesses understanding their costs, using data to make informed decisions and continuously adapting to changing market conditions.
“The message from that dialogue was clear: that in today’s economy, success is not about working harder; it’s about working smarter,” Franklin said.
He said digital tools, modern production technologies, energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy solutions could help businesses improve their performance while opening new opportunities for growth.
Franklin said enterprises that would thrive in the future were those willing to embrace continuous innovation and use technology to improve their operations.
“The enterprises that thrive in the future will be those that understand their costs, use data to make better decisions, embrace innovation, and continuously adapt to changing market conditions,” he said.
