Mbabane – The Honourable Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, met with representatives from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) today in Mbabane to discuss ways to boost development cooperation and attract investment to Eswatini.
The meeting is part of AFD’s ongoing mission to pinpoint priority areas for collaboration, following engagements with partners including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.
Minister Khumalo outlined Eswatini’s strategy to create an enabling environment for business, expand trade, and advance industrial development. He pointed to investment opportunities in industrial parks aimed at adding value in sectors such as sugar, textiles, and timber. Infrastructure projects in energy, transport, and logistics were also identified as key areas for development. 
AFD showed strong interest in supporting priority sectors like energy and water. The agency is exploring innovative financing options, including green credit lines and funding support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through local financial institutions.
Both parties agreed to continue discussions, with AFD expected to provide a detailed mission report and work closely with the Ministry to develop bankable projects.
