English is one of Eswatini’s two official languages, and consumers are accustomed to products and services labeled and marketed in English. Service plans and warranties are an important selling point in Eswatini, especially for equipment and automobiles. In order to compete with South African products, U.S. businesses should make provisions for after-sale parts and maintenance.
Trade Promotion & Advertising
The Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) is hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade in August or September of each year to promote business in the country. This is the leading business exhibition, with over 50,000 visitors, where all important corporations participate to introduce and promote new products and services.
The government owns radio and television stations that sell advertising. Eswatini has one privately owned radio station, focusing on Christian broadcasting, and one privately owned television station: Channel S. It is also possible to advertise with South African television stations broadcasting into Eswatini.
Three newspapers in Eswatini offer advertising possibilities for U.S. businesses: the privately-owned Times of Eswatini and the Eswatini Financial Times, which are owned by local conglomerate Inyatsi Group, sovereign wealth fund Tibiyo Taka Ngwane’s Eswatini Observer, and the monthly magazine, The Nation. Eswatini has one business journal, The Eswatini Business Yearbook.
Newspapers:
The Eswatini Observer
Observer House, West Street Mbabane
Tel +268 404-5190, 404-5194
Fax +268 404-5503
E-mail: observmb@realnet.co.sz
The Times of Eswatini
P.O. Box 156, Mbabane
Tel: +268 404-1550/1/2/3/4
Fax (268) 404-2438
E-mail: times@realnet.co.sz
The Nation
P.O. Box 3433, Mbabane
Tel: (268) 404-6611
Eswatini Financial Times
Tel: +268 7977 8548
E-mail: info@eswatinifincialtimes.africa
Pricing
Pricing of commodities in Eswatini is usually inclusive of all taxes. Eswatini charges 15 percent value added tax on all goods sold within the country.
Sales Service/Customer Support
After-sale maintenance is top priority for any sale to succeed in Eswatini. Emaswati are hesitant to buy products that cannot be serviced in Eswatini, and U.S. exporters should make provisions for in-country service to promote sales. For example, although Swati government agencies may be willing to wait up to two weeks for automobile service in South Africa, private individuals will not tolerate the inconvenience. Like western consumers, many Emaswati will demand same-day or overnight service on their vehicles.
Local Professional Services
Eswatini Association of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors
PO Box A387, Swazi Plaza
Mbabane
Tel: +268 404 2309
Fax: +268 404 2309
Law Society of Eswatini
High Court Building, Mbabane
Tel: +268 2404-9945
Accountants and Auditors
Kobla Quashie and Associates
Email: info@koblaquashie.co.sz
Eswatini Institute of Accountants
PO Box 2653
Mbabane, H100
Eswatini
Tel: +268 2404 5566
Fax: +268 2404 6827
sia@realnet.co.sz
Management Consulting
J B H Management
Post Office Box 801
Matsapha, Eswatini
Tel: +268.2416.2079, +268.2416.2820
Fax: +268.2416.2820
L C C Capital Consulting (PTY) Ltd
Ground Floor Dlanubeka House
Mbabane, Eswatini
Tel: +268 2404 6348, 2404 9689
Fax: +268 2404 9689
SNG Grant Thornton Eswatini
Umkhiwa House,
Lot 195, Kal Grant Street
Mbabane
Tel: +268 2405 7000
Email: info@sng.gt.com
Regional Excellence & Development Initiative
Hhas’elihambayo House Eveni Mbabane
Tel: +268.2404.9396
Email: info@redi.realnet.co.sz
Price Waterhouse Coopers
RHUS Office Park
Karl Grant Str
Mbabane
Tel: +268 2404 2861
Principal Business Associations
Business Eswatini
Malagwane Hill | P. O. Box 72, Mbabane H100
Tel: +268 2404 0768/2404 4408
Fax: +268 2404 4333
Email: info@business-eswatini.co.sz
Business Eswatini (BE) is a voluntary non-profit representing employers and businesses in all sectors of the Eswatini economy to promote trade and harmonious industrial relations. BE is the umbrella body for all business in Eswatini and provides services to its members through advisory, advocacy and representation services. BE accepts all legally registered entities as members, including U.S. company members.
Federation of the Swazi Business Community (FESBC)
Address: Y2K Bldg, Manzini, Eswatini
Phone number: +268 2505 9199