Government has thrown its full weight behind plans to transform the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre into a year-round commercial hub as Eswatini seeks to expand trade, investment and business opportunities beyond the annual Trade Fair.
The commitment was announced as the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026 came to a close on Sunday, with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini also challenging local businesses to scale up production and pursue regional and international markets.
Dlamini delivered the message through Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla during the Stand Excellence Awards and official closing ceremony held at the UNDP Sustainability Centre at Mavuso. 
The Prime Minister said the transformation of Mavuso into a permanent hub for trade, commerce and innovation would support the country’s economic ambitions and ensure that commercial activity generated by the facility continues throughout the year.
“I unequivocally declare Government’s full support for this vision,” Dlamini said.
He said the Ministry for Commerce, Industry and Trade, working together with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), would receive the necessary backing to advance the development.
“We will ensure Mavuso becomes a modernised engine for commercial growth,” he said.
The proposed transformation would provide businesses with a permanent platform to showcase products, hold exhibitions, engage potential investors and establish commercial partnerships, rather than concentrating such activities around the annual EITF.
The announcement came alongside a strong call from the Prime Minister for businesses to use opportunities created through the Trade Fair to expand beyond Eswatini’s relatively small domestic market.
Dlamini urged local enterprises to increase production and take advantage of trade arrangements that provide access to larger regional and international markets.
“I urge our businesses to scale up production and leverage lucrative trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as trade pathways into the UK and European Union markets,” he said.
He said the increased participation of international exhibitors demonstrated the potential of EITF to connect local businesses with markets and enterprises beyond the Kingdom.
This year’s Trade Fair attracted exhibitors from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa, alongside hundreds of local exhibitors.
“It is inspiring to note the increase in foreign participation, with exhibitors joining us from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa,” Dlamini said.
He challenged local businesses to turn these encounters into lasting commercial relationships, saying the value of EITF should extend beyond the period during which exhibitors occupy their stands.
According to Dlamini, contacts made at the Trade Fair should lead to business partnerships, investment opportunities and new markets for locally produced goods.
He said businesses also needed to continue improving the quality and competitiveness of their products if they were to take advantage of larger export markets.
The push to transform Mavuso comes as Government seeks to increase the economic impact of EITF beyond its annual 10-day programme.
Dlamini said the Trade Fair had become an important platform for businesses to showcase products, establish partnerships, identify markets and explore investment opportunities.
He said the next step was to ensure that the opportunities created at the event translated into tangible economic activity.
A year-round Mavuso commercial hub could give businesses more opportunities to display products, engage buyers and investors, conduct exhibitions and develop partnerships throughout the year.
The Prime Minister also commended Government ministries and parastatals for participating in large numbers, saying their presence helped bring public services and information closer to the people.
“Government ministries and parastatals participated in large numbers, fulfilling our goal to decentralise public services and bring Government closer to the people,” he said.
