‘Empowerment Rules to Put emaSwati at the Centre of the Economy’

By Thokozani Mazibuko

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, together with the United Nations Development Programme and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Council, has taken a vital step towards shaping an inclusive and people centered economy by convening the Citizens Economic Empowerment Regulations Validation Workshop.

The workshop has been hailed as a critical milestone in efforts to ensure that emaSwati do not merely participate in economic activity, but become genuine beneficiaries of sustainable and meaningful economic transformation.

The validation workshop brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society, all united by a shared vision of transforming Eswatini’s economy in a way that prioritizes local participation, ownership, and long term empowerment.

The gathering focused on reviewing and refining the Final Draft Citizens Economic Empowerment Regulations, which are expected to guide the implementation of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act.

This year, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, with technical and financial support from UNDP, undertook extensive nationwide consultations.

These engagements reached micro enterprises, women entrepreneurs, youth groups, private sector players, and civil society organizations across the country.

The consultations were designed to ensure that the regulations are informed by lived experiences, practical challenges, and genuine aspirations of emaSwati who are directly involved in economic activity. Stakeholders’ contributions during these consultations now form the backbone of the Final Draft Regulations being validated.

The Citizens Economic Empowerment Regulations are designed to broaden access to economic opportunities while creating an enabling environment for inclusive growth.

Central to the regulations is the promotion of local ownership and participation in key sectors of the economy. By strengthening fair and inclusive procurement systems, the framework seeks to ensure that local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, are given meaningful opportunities to supply goods and services and participate competitively in national value chains.

In addition, the regulations place strong emphasis on skills development and capacity building. Recognizing that empowerment goes beyond access to markets and finance, the framework promotes targeted training and skills enhancement initiatives aimed at equipping emaSwati with the competencies required to compete and succeed in an evolving economy.

This approach is expected to contribute to job creation, innovation, and business sustainability, especially among youth and women.

Another key pillar of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Regulations is the promotion of transparency and accountability.

The regulations, by setting clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms, seek to build public confidence and ensure that empowerment initiatives deliver tangible benefits to intended beneficiaries.

A transparent implementation process is expected to encourage ethical business practices and strengthen trust between government, the private sector, and citizens.

Speaking during the workshop, Citizens Economic Empowerment Council Chairperson Lincoln Motsa emphasized the importance of collective ownership of the process.

He described the validation workshop as the final opportunity to ensure that the regulations reflect national priorities and are responsive to real industry needs.

Motsa called on all stakeholders to engage purposefully, share practical insights, and contribute to shaping a framework that is both workable and transformative.

According to him, the success of the regulations will depend on the quality of stakeholder input and the commitment shown during implementation.

The collaboration between MCIT, UNDP, and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Council highlights the value of partnerships in driving inclusive development.

UNDP continues to support Eswatini’s efforts to build resilient institutions and inclusive economic systems that leave no one behind.