The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) hosted executives from PEP Group at Sigma Clothing’s Ndzevane factory on Monday for the official launch of Eswatini’s first green-certified apparel manufacturing facility.
The event marks a milestone for the country’s manufacturing sector and signals government’s intent to align industrial growth with environmental standards and export competitiveness.
Representing the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Dr Tambo Gina delivered the keynote address on behalf of government. 
“The establishment of the first green-certified factory in Eswatini positions our nation at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing in the region,” Dr. Gina said.
Gina mentioned that this initiative signals to the world that Eswatini is ready to compete globally while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
He reiterated government’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to meeting international best practices in trade and production.
PEP Group, one of Southern Africa’s largest value retailers, was represented by Viola Dube, Head of Buying. PEP operates more than 2700 stores across the region and sources extensively from local manufacturers.
“Since our founding in 1965, PEP has expanded to over 2,700 stores across Southern Africa, with a commitment to making the unaffordable affordable,” Dube stated.
She mentioned that they are excited to explore long-term partnerships that will help them turn ‘just fashion, no fumes’ into a reality.
Dube said PEP is prioritizing suppliers that meet sustainability and speed-to-market requirements as part of its procurement strategy.
During the event, PEP Group presented Sigma Green with the Speed to Market Excellence Award in recognition of the factory’s delivery performance and quality standards.
EIPA Chief Executive Officer, Sibani Mngomezulu commended Sigma Green for completing the certification process and for its collaboration with the Authority.
He said initiatives such as Sigma Green are central to EIPA’s mandate of unlocking green opportunities for sustainable trade.
“Investments that integrate environmental compliance with manufacturing efficiency are vital to attracting new markets and retaining existing ones,” Mngomezulu said. Mngomezulu assured that EIPA will continue to support firms that position Eswatini competitively in global value chains.”
He also noted that the apparel sector remains a key employer and foreign exchange earner and that green certification provides a pathway to meet new buyer requirements from retailers in South Africa and beyond.
Representing Sigma Green, Ziyaad Paruk outlined the company’s investment plan for the Ndzevane facility.
“We are committed to investing in specialized machinery and technology to expand our capabilities while educating and upskilling our team members,” Paruk said.
According to Sigma Green, upgrades at the factory include the installation of solar power systems, water recycling infrastructure, and energy-efficient lighting and ventilation.
The company has also introduced training programs focused on machine operation, maintenance and quality control aligned to international buyer standards.
Paruk said the objective is to establish Sigma Green as the leading apparel factory in Eswatini in terms of capacity, compliance and technical capability.
