Eswatini Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in eswatini, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Selling to the Public Sector
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Selling to the Government

The Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (EPPRA) is an independent regulatory body with responsibility for policy, regulation, oversight, professional development, and information management and dissemination in the field of public procurement.

In marketing products and services to the government, one should not expect a steady flow of sales, but there are opportunities for one-off sales of considerable size. The government generally publishes tenders in the local media and, depending on the commodity, occasionally in the South African media. There are three basic sources of government tenders. First, Government Stores, which is the government’s procurement department located in the Ministry of Finance, purchases general supplies (such as furniture and stationery). Second, the Central Transport Administration (CTA) at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport purchases heavy equipment (for example, tractors, bulldozers, and generators). Third, individual ministries directly purchase items unique to their work like (meteorological equipment, x-ray machines.).

Potential bidders pay for the right to bid at the government revenue office and then collect tender documents from Government Stores. Bids are returned to the Central Tender Board. Bidders are then invited for the opening of the bids.  In some instances, a ministry can apply for a tender waiver if there are too few companies supplying a particular commodity. The government requires three quotes to procure an item. It will issue an order to the company selected, and then the company applies for an import permit from the Ministry of Finance.

U.S. companies bidding on foreign government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. Within the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, the Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters in competition with foreign firms in foreign government projects or procurement opportunities. The Advocacy Center works closely with our network of the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide and inter-agency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agency officials expressing support for the U.S. exporters directly to the foreign government. Consult the Advocacy Center’s program web page on trade.gov for additional information.

Financing of Projects

National Industrial Development Corporation of Eswatini (NIDCS)

NIDCS activities complement the government’s effort to attract investment by offering equity participation and anchoring investor confidence in Eswatini. Currently, they support undertakings in sectors such as Food and Beverages, Agri-business, Health and Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure and Engineering, Paper, Plastic and Leather, Textiles and Apparels, Communications, Mining and Minerals, Financial Services, Finance, and Entertainment.

Industrial Development Company of Eswatini (IDCE)

IDCE is prepared to provide equity finance where required.  IDCE also offers medium- to long-term loans, and leases factory space. IDCE will only participate in projects that are technically feasible, financially viable, and soundly managed.  IDCE gives priority to projects that provide permanent employment, generate foreign exchange, and improve Eswatini’s human capacity.

Tibiyo Taka Ngwane

Tibiyo Taka Ngwane conducts free enterprise business on behalf of the country, with the king serving as trustee. Tibiyo has a portfolio of nearly 30 interests, in mining, manufacturing, property, finance, agriculture, tourism, transport, and other sectors. Tibiyo frequently works in partnership with major companies and international development agencies.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA)

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promote economic development in developing countries by funding feasibility studies, consultants, training programs, and other project planning services. In Africa, TDA assists U.S. firms by identifying major development projects that offer large export potential and by funding U.S. private sector involvement in project planning.  This, in turn, helps position U.S. firms for follow-on activities during the implementation phase of the project.

Multilateral Development Banks and Financing Government Sales.

Price, payment terms, and financing can be a significant factor in winning a government contract. Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). The Guide to Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks overviews how to work with MDBs. The International Trade Administration (ITA) has a Foreign Commercial Service Officer stationed at each of the five different Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the World Bank.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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