The Kingdom of Eswatini has welcomed delegates from across the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for the 5th SACU Task Team Meeting on Automotive and Mineral Beneficiation,
a gathering aimed at advancing regional industrialisation and strengthening economic cooperation among member states.
The meeting is a significant milestone for the regional bloc, as it completes the first full cycle of host nations, having previously been convened in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho before arriving in Eswatini. 
Opening the session, Phesheya Dube, the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, noted that the meeting coincides with the 40th Ruby Celebration of King Mswati III’s reign.
He urged delegates to use the national milestone as inspiration to foster regional unity and economic resilience.
A major focus of the high-level meeting is aligning SACU’s regional strategies with broader continental frameworks,
specifically the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
According to Dube, these frameworks must move beyond paperwork to become active pathways for value addition and the development of regional value chains.
He specifically pointed to the Algeria-Egypt Agreement as a strategic opportunity for SACU member states to expand market reach and improve global competitiveness.
According to Dube, the meeting also highlighted the existing industrial disparities among member states.
While previous host nations organised delegate tours of established automotive component manufacturing plants, Eswatini was unable to provide a similar itinerary.
“It is with sincere regret that we are unable to offer a similar experience during this 5th meeting, as Eswatini does not yet have such mature establishments to present,” Dube stated.
However, Dube framed this limitation as a benchmark for future local development.
Dube also noted that the gap serves as a direct reminder of the work ahead and solidifies Eswatini’s commitment to aggressively develop its domestic manufacturing capabilities.
“With the task team entering technical deliberations, we are pushing for a concrete roadmap rather than open-ended discussions,” stated Dube.
Dube further challenged the delegates, including young professionals and future policy leaders in attendance, to directly answer the question: “Where to from here?”
According to the Ministry, the multi-day meeting aims to produce actionable strategies that will drive economic growth,
create sustainable employment and establish a clear trajectory for automotive and mineral sectors across Southern Africa.
