By Ncaba Ntshakala
Eswatini showcased its dedication to regional economic development and trade expansion during the COMESA summit where Prime Minister Russell Dlamini emphasized the kingdom’s milestones in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area.
The Premier asserted that Eswatini’s active participation in the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA) has opened the door to diversified trade, collaborative efforts for regional stability, and inclusive growth, which is a notable achievement for the nation.
The Prime Minister made these submissions during a plenary session where he delivered the intervention on the participation of the Kingdom of Eswatini in the COMESA Free Trade Area.
The Prime Minister is in Burundi for the 23rd COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Bujumbura. This year, the Summit convened under the theme:
“Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism.”
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When submitting, Dlamini said that Eswatini’s journey in COMESA has been rooted in a strategic push to reduce reliance on limited export markets and create economic resilience.
“Having signed the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) agreement, which encompasses COMESA, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Eswatini is embracing broader market opportunities and has committed to supporting the TFTA’s full operationalization.
The kingdom deposited its ratification instrument in November 2022, solidifying its dedication to this extensive regional framework,” the Prime Minister submitted.
The Prime Minister expressed that Eswatini’s involvement in the COMESA FTA is not just a trade milestone, but it represents a fundamental commitment to strengthening alliances with neighbouring countries.
Through COMESA, Eswatini collaborates with regional partners to address pressing issues, including climate change, food security, and sustainable manufacturing.
For Eswatini, expanding manufacturing and production is a crucial goal, which the TFTA agreement supports by ensuring the sustainability of these industries through expanded regional demand and cooperation.
It was also revealed that negotiations continue as Eswatini, alongside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), finalizes its tariff offer with the East African Community (EAC), which the Premier hailed as a step expected to strengthen the country’s access to wider markets.
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These efforts further reinforce Eswatini’s dedication to inclusive regional trade that benefits all sectors, particularly vulnerable communities.
Again, the Prime Minister highlighted the kingdom’s vision of the COMESA FTA as a vehicle for shared prosperity and socio-economic upliftment, stressing the importance of collective efforts to bring these benefits to all.
“We look forward to playing an active role in shaping the future of regional trade in Africa and ensuring that the benefits of the COMESA Free Trade Area are felt by all, particularly the most vulnerable in our societies,” Dlamini asserted.
“As we move forward, let us work together to ensure that the COMESA FTA becomes a vehicle for inclusive growth, prosperity, and the upliftment of all our people.”
