Quick info guide

Tips for cross border traders

‣ Business opportunities exist for cross border traders in the agriculture sector. 

‣ Eswatini is the big importer of fruits (banana, apples, potatoes) from Mozambique and South Africa.

‣ The National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) issues import and export permits for scheduled agricultural products to cross border traders.

Resources for women cross border traders

☑ Women cross border traders receive training on economic empowerment, women’s rights and trade from Women and Law – Eswatini, SMEs Unit, International Trade Department and Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FEBC).

Events of interest
☑ The SMEs Unit of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade provides the cross border traders with opportunity for business training, finance information and sale for their products during the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF).

Facilitating cross border trade for women in Eswatini

Eswatini provides free visa entry to businesspeople from COMESA and SADC member states provided there are reciprocal arrangements in place. Day travel is highly recommended as a security and safety measure. Cross border trade is conducted under several trade agreements which Eswatini has concluded as a member of SACU, SADC and COMESA. Among them is the SADC Protocol on Trade Goods and COMESA Simplified Trade Regime. These trade agreements help women entrepreneurs to clear their goods across borders faster.

Cross border travel is made easy for Eswatini women traders through easy access to transportation and flexible border hours. In addition, the gateways to the neighbouring economic hubs; Mhlumeni-Goba Border (Eswatini/Mozambique) and Ngwenya/Oshoek Border (Eswatini/South Africa) are open 24/7 and for 12 hours respectively.

Sive Lesibunye Women’s Cross Border Association (SLWCBA)

SLWCBA organizes transport for women cross border traders