FNB Eswatini has strengthened its support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by increasing access to business funding of up to E1.5 million, as part of its drive to help entrepreneurs expand and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Speaking at the Manzini Regional Entrepreneur of the Year (EYA) Awards held at The George Hotel on Friday, FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani Dlamini said the bank was committed to developing financial solutions that respond directly to the needs of entrepreneurs. 
Dlamini said the announcement followed engagements with business owners during the FNB SME Growth Forums, which were held alongside the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in the Lubombo and Hhohho regions before concluding in Manzini.
He explained that the forums had created an opportunity for the bank to hear directly from entrepreneurs about how FNB’s products and services had supported their businesses, while also identifying areas requiring improvement.
“Our entrepreneurs have told us that they need our merchant devices to be more agile. They have also asked us to engage more with them and have requested that we expand access to our loan services,” he said.
Dlamini said the bank had taken the feedback seriously and was already implementing several of the improvements requested by SMEs.
“I am happy to share that a majority of what our entrepreneurs are asking from us are things we are already working on and implementing,” he said.
He added that, through FNB’s scored lending approach, qualifying SMEs could now access funding of up to E1.5 million, enabling them to secure capital quickly to expand operations, purchase equipment or invest in new opportunities.
“The idea behind establishing the SME Growth Forums was to create a stronger connection with our entrepreneurs, ensuring that we hear directly from them and develop solutions that respond to their needs,” Dlamini said.
While acknowledging that no institution could address every challenge immediately, Dlamini said FNB remained determined to continuously improve its services and deepen its support for the country’s SME sector.
“We won’t get everything right at once. But what we can promise is that we will not stop in our bid to find the right solutions for SMEs in Eswatini. We will be relentless in making our service efficient and bringing our help closer to where SMEs are,” he said.
He also commended the partnership between FNB Eswatini and the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), saying the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards had become an important platform for recognising entrepreneurs while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with business owners.
Dlamini further thanked the Manzini Regional Administration for its continued support of SMEs through initiatives such as the annual Manzini Regional Day, which he said provided entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with new markets and grow their businesses.
Reaffirming the bank’s commitment to the country’s economic development, Dlamini said FNB would continue working with entrepreneurs to ensure they had access to practical financial solutions.
“We understand that when your businesses grow, our country grows as well,” he said.
He encouraged entrepreneurs attending the awards to remain for the SME Growth Forum, where they would engage directly with the bank on practical business support and discuss additional ways FNB could better serve the SME community.
