Inside Biz

15/01/2025

African Nations Struggle to Attract Financing for Renewable Energy Projects- Prince Lonkhokhela

The Minister has urged the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to continue its work in addressing funding barriers and to host more investment forums that will create opportunities for securing funding and fostering partnerships.

By Sizwe Dlamini The Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela says that developing countries, particularly those in Africa, continue to face challenges in attracting financing for renewable energy…

14/01/2025

Minister Savannah Maziya Appointed Chairperson of Global Councils on SDGs

Under Minister Maziya’s chairpersonship, the Global Councils on SDGs aims to strengthen global SDG implementation, foster cross-border synergies, empower women and girls through ICT, contribute to shaping the post-2030 development agenda, including the ambitious XDGs 2045 Framework.

By Sizwe Dlamini The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya’s, leadership skills have been recognised globally as she has been appointed the Chairperson of the Global Councils…

14/01/2025

Citizen Economic Empowerment Act: A Game-Changer for Local Businesses

The Act is designed to ensure that business opportunities are reserved for local entrepreneurs, particularly in the government procurement space. Thuli Dladla-Dlamini, President of the Business Union of Eswatini (BUFE) and Vice Chairperson of the Eswatini Citizen Economic Empowerment Council, emphasized that with this Act, tenders worth up to E10 million will be exclusively for local businesses, a key measure aimed at addressing long-standing economic inequalities.

By Phiwa Sikhondze The long-awaited Citizen Economic Empowerment Act (CEEA) is poised to reshape Eswatini’s economic future by driving inclusive growth and empowering local businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized…

14/01/2025

African Alliance Plans to Build Hotel in Malkerns

African Alliance plans to build a hotel in Malkerns as part of its strategy to transform the area into a hub for residential and commercial activity. S'thofeni Ginindza, Partner at African Alliance, announced the project during the Revenue Blueprint Masterclass, emphasizing the group's commitment to innovation and large-scale development.

By Phiwa Sikhondze African Alliance, a prominent investment group in Eswatini, is set to expand its footprint in the local hospitality sector with plans to build a hotel in Malkerns.…

13/01/2025

EmaSwati Are Capable of Running Businesses That Generate Millions- "Slomoes"

Slomo Dlamini, the founder of Slomoes Corporation has made a passionate plea to the government to prioritize local business owners over foreigners when awarding tenders.

Cover Photo Cred: A Peculiar Peoples Person

Read the full article here
https://www.insidebiz.co.sz/emaswati-are-capable-of-running-businesses-that-generate-millions-slomoes/

13/01/2025

ESPPRA Pushes for More Inclusivity in Public Procurement Through Revised Tender Regulations

ESPPRA CEO Vusi Matsebula notes that many local entrepreneurs are intimidated by the complexity of tender documents, which often involve technical jargon and intricate specifications. To address this, ESPPRA is working to make the documents more user-friendly.

Cover Photo Cred| Public Procurement Regulatory Agency

By Phiwa Sikhondze In a move to enhance inclusivity in Eswatini’s public procurement, the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ESPPRA) is revising regulations to ensure that local businesses are better…

13/01/2025

African Alliance Announces Plans to Expand KFC Into Europe

African Alliance, a prominent investment group from Eswatini, is considering expanding its KFC franchise into Europe following its success in Southern Africa. The company operates 11 KFC outlets in Eswatini and 45 in South Africa and aims to replicate its achievements in new international markets.

By Phiwa Sikhondze In a bold move to expand its global footprint, African Alliance, a diversified financial and investment group, is targeting Europe through its subsidiary, Alliance Foods, which operates…

13/01/2025

SACCOs See Improvement in Credit Quality As Non-Performing Loans Decline

Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in Eswatini have recorded a significant improvement in credit health, with non-performing loans (NPLs) dropping to 8.65% in Q1 2024 from 9.50% in the previous quarter.

By Phiwa Sikhondze The first quarter of 2024 brought positive news for Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in Eswatini as the rate of non-performing loans (NPLs) declined significantly. According…

10/01/2025

We Are Ready To Compete With Commercial Banks - SBS MD

The Swaziland Building Society will soon be known as SBS Bank Eswatini, this is if it meets all the regulatory conditions. It is safe to say that the 62-year-old financial institution is well on course to meet its timeline, considering the resounding voter support it received from its members. 94.6% of its members voted in favour of the transformation on the 15th of November 2024.

The Society's Managing Director, Mbali Sibanyoni says they have reached a saturation point and are ready to compete with commercial banks.

To read the full article, you can get the latest Issue of Inside Biz Magazine, available in selected retail outlets nationwide.

Photo Cred: Swaziland Building Society

09/01/2025

SNG Grant Thornton and Begin Your Dreams Invest in Eswatini’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The annual Youth Business Seminar, held in Siteki from December 16 to 17, 2024, empowered 17 young entrepreneurs with essential skills, mentorship, and seed funding to grow their businesses. Organized by Begin Your Dreams and funded by SNG Grant Thornton with E60,000, the program featured intensive training on business modeling and financial management and a pitch competition, where top participants were awarded capital and mentorship.

By Phiwa Sikhondze A new wave of young entrepreneurs is set to reshape Eswatini’s business landscape following the successful conclusion of the annual Youth Business Seminar held from December 16…

09/01/2025

Non-Bank Financial Institutions' Assets Hit E104.96 billion

Eswatini's Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) saw significant growth in the first quarter of 2024, with assets rising by 1.38% to E104.96 billion, marking a 10.66% increase year-on-year. Key sectors such as credit providers and reinsurers led the growth, while retirement funds and capital markets also saw strong performances.

By Phiwa Sikhondze In the first quarter of 2024, Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) in Eswatini continued to show solid growth, with total assets increasing by 1.38% compared to the previous…

09/01/2025

Government Eyes 8.3% Expansion In Spending To Drive Development

Key to this year’s government spending is the financing of large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP). The Minister of Finance says the increased spending will be felt by ordinary emaSwati.

By Phiwa Sikhondze The government of Eswatini has announced an 8.3% increase in public spending for 2025, marking a significant step towards boosting development and improving livelihoods across the country.…

07/01/2025

Stalling of Sectional Title: Administrative Inefficiency, Lack of Political Will Or A Market Problem?

Reputable and highly experienced local estate agents note that property prices in the country are among the highest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The middle class has resorted to purchasing Eswatini Nation Land (ENL) because of the exorbitant property prices under Title Deed Property. In fact, owning property in the country appears to be a luxury, reserved for a select few. The gazetting of the Sectional Titles Act in April 2022, brought hope to emaSwati, who have been excluded from property ownership. However, there has been minimal uptake, with only one application received by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development since the Act’s enactment. The challenge may be more far-reaching than most of us think. As it stands, aspiring homeowners are justifiably frustrated at what they thought was the solution; property developers that we engage with are pointing fingers at the Ministry, while the Ministry says there are no applications that are coming its way. This, then begs the question, is it a lack of political will, inefficiency from the government, particularly the Ministry, or the country was not ready for the implementation of Sectional Title to begin with?

By Phiwa Sikhondze The operationalization of the Sectional Titles Act in April 2022 was meant to transform the local property landscape. The Act was designed to provide new pathways to…

06/01/2025

Top Business Leaders For Revenue Blueprint Masterclass

Notable speakers for the MasterClass include S’thofeni Ginindza, Partner at African Alliance, Fikile Nkosi, Managing Director at Nedbank Eswatini, and Slomo Dlamini, Managing Director of Slomoes Corporation. These leaders will share their insights on critical topics, such as innovative financial strategies, payment solutions, and technological advancements for business growth.

Read the full article here
https://www.insidebiz.co.sz/top-business-leaders-for-revenue-blueprint-masterclass/

02/01/2025

IN STORES | The latest edition of your favourite publication is now available at selected retail outlets, featuring exclusive interviews with business leaders, industry news,2024 business reflections and more. This end of year issue also sees the introduction of our lifestyle magazine which covers entertainment news, profiles, relationships ,travel & leisure and a lot more. Get these two bumper editions for just E30. Happy Reading & Happy Festive Holidays.

20/12/2024

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20/12/2024

You Can Now Purchase Your MTN Bushfire Festival Ticket Via MoMo At Select MTN Eswatini Service Centres

This initiative aims to bring unparalleled ease and security to local festival enthusiasts, aligning with MTN Eswatini and Bushfire’s shared goal of ensuring accessibility for emaSwati. Special discounted tickets for residents of Eswatini are available exclusively through the MoMo WhatsApp Marketplace for customers with valid MoMo accounts.

By Phiwa Sikhondze Festivalgoers gearing up for the 18th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival set to take place from 30 May to 1 June 2025 at House On Fire…