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.

angle-left Sive Lesibunye Women’s Cross Border Association (SLWCBA)

Sive Lesibunye Women’s Cross Border Association (SLWCBA)

SLWCBA was set up in 2015. With 15 affiliates, it represents interests of women cross border traders. It is affiliated to the SADC and COMESA apex bodies. It works closely with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade  (MCIT) tasked with developing the SMEs sector. 

SLWCBA also organizes transport for women cross border traders hawking clothes, cosmetics and handicrafts. These cross border traders source their goods from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique in the SADC region.


Contact information

Sive Lesibunye Women Cross Border Association
Ms. Thobile Dube
Manzini Bus Terminal
Tel: +268 7612 2047

Eswatini Revenue Authority
Ezulwni
Tel: +268 2406 4000
Email: info@sra.org.sz