Eswatini, Benin Chambers forge historic trade partnership
By Delisa Magagula
In a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between Southern and West Africa, Business Eswatini (BE) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCIB) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 September 2025.
The virtual signing ceremony marks a pivotal commitment to foster trade, investment, and mutual prosperity between the two nations, a vision driven by the steadfast belief and efforts of the BE leadership.
The event, hosted from the BE War Room by the BE Secretariat led by Chief Executive Officer, E. Nathi Dlamini, connected virtually with the delegation from Benin.
The CCIB was represented by its President, the Secretary General, and several collaborators. Adding a distinguished diplomatic presence to the occasion was the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Benin to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Pierre Bidé, who attended in person.
The MoU establishes a formal framework for cooperation, paving the way for robust trade and investment relations between Eswatini and Benin. The ceremony was underscored by a shared vision to prioritise intra-African cooperation and continental trade, in line with the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his remarks, Pierre Bidé highlighted the occasion as an important milestone for cooperation in various fields. He described Benin as one of the strongest growing economies in Africa and pointed to Benin’s no-visa policy for African nationals, introduced in 2019, as a strong foundation for building closer ties.
The pivotal role of the Business Eswatini CEO was central to the event. Reflecting on the journey to this moment
“This is a partnership that has been a long way in the making. When we first considered this collaboration, we saw two countries from opposite ends of the continent West and South with seemingly little in common. But it was precisely for that reason that we believed this partnership mattered most. We saw not the distance, but the opportunity; not the lack of history, but the potential to write a new chapter of shared economic success,” he said.
He added that the MoU aligns with King Mswati III’s “Nkwe” call, which emphasises forging strategic international relations and aggressively attracting Foreign Direct Investment to drive national growth.
“This agreement is a tangible tool for our members and the private sector at large. It opens a gateway to one of Africa’s most vibrant economies, creating new pathways for trade, investment, and knowledge exchange. We are not just signing a document; we are unlocking a world of opportunity for Emaswati businesses and sending a clear signal that Eswatini is open for business,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, the CCIB President described the agreement as an important step in the economic rapprochement of our two countries and committed to ensuring the MoU results in practical support for entrepreneurs, sharing best practices, and training.
He also proposed a reciprocal visit to Eswatini to deepen the institutional relationship, with the ultimate goal of building a solid, lasting, and growth-oriented relationship.
“This is a concrete contribution to the achievement of African prosperity goals, which will first be built through intra-African cooperation,” he affirmed.
His vision, anchored in the CCIB’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, is centered on connecting business leaders to the best local, regional, and international opportunities.
The partnership between BE and CCIB is poised to unlock new avenues for Emaswati and Beninese businesses, leveraging respective strengths to create tangible projects that generate wealth and jobs, and championing regional integration for a more prosperous Africa.
