The 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair opened on Friday with exhibition stands taking shape, performers taking to the stage and businesses preparing to welcome visitors for a week of trade, entertainment, culture and networking.
Held at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini, this year’s Trade Fair is running under the theme ‘Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion’ bringing together businesses, government institutions, creatives, entrepreneurs and members of the public.
From the exhibition halls to the entertainment areas, activity was already underway on the opening day as participants prepared for the days ahead.
Some businesses had completed their stalls and were ready to engage visitors, while others were still putting the finishing touches to their displays.
The entertainment programme was also beginning to take shape, with local poets, rappers and young musicians already performing and preparing for scheduled appearances.
Some performers had been booked for the opening day and took to the stage, giving visitors an early taste of the entertainment expected throughout the Trade Fair.
The early performances added to the activity around the venue as exhibitors, performers and visitors settled into the first day of the nine-day event.
For businesses, the opening provided an opportunity to begin engaging with customers and stakeholders while showcasing their products, services and initiatives.
Several exhibitors said they were looking forward to meeting customers and participating in the wider business environment created by the Trade Fair.
The event also attracted the Deputy Prime Minister, who toured a number of exhibition stands on the opening day and interacted with exhibitors.
Among the stands she visited were Good Shepherd College, the Eswatini Elections and Boundaries Commission, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) Joint River Basin, Destiny Music, the Municipal Council of Manzini, the Municipal Council of Mbabane, the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority, the Eswatini National Petroleum Company and Eswatini Water Services.
She also toured the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and the Eswatini Environmental Authority, among other exhibitors.
During the tour, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed her satisfaction with the growth of the Trade Fair over the years, saying this year’s edition promised to be bigger.
She said the annual event had developed into an important platform for showcasing the country’s progress while attracting recognition and participation from across the Southern African region.
She also commended the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade for its continued efforts to ensure that the Trade Fair is held annually.
The 2026 edition has attracted more than 200 exhibitors, including businesses and organisations from Eswatini and the wider region. For the first time, an International Pavilion brings together exhibitors from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique, adding to the regional character of the event.
The green economy theme is expected to feature across the programme, with exhibitors and participating organisations showcasing products, services and initiatives linked to sustainability, innovation and new economic opportunities.
However, the Trade Fair programme extends well beyond the exhibition floor.
Entertainment is expected to remain a major part of the week, with more than 40 artists, DJs and music acts scheduled to perform across the event. More than 70 per cent of the entertainment line-up comprises local talent, giving Eswatini artists a significant presence on the programme.
The line-up includes musicians, DJs, gospel performers and contemporary acts, with special entertainment planned for the opening, Gospel Sunday and the final weekend.
Sport will also feature throughout the Trade Fair, with the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup returning alongside Mulasport-sponsored basketball, volleyball and netball competitions.
The cultural programme will bring another dimension to the event through traditional dance competitions featuring Sibhaca, Ingadla and Lutsango, with groups from different parts of the country expected to participate.
The combination of exhibitions, entertainment, sport and culture is expected to attract different audiences to the Trade Fair throughout the week, from entrepreneurs and business owners to families, young people, music lovers and regional visitors.
The first day offered an early indication of the atmosphere expected over the coming days. Exhibition spaces continued to fill, performers prepared for their appearances and businesses began engaging with visitors as the event moved into full operation.
For some exhibitors, the focus will be on showcasing products and finding new customers. For others, it will be an opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas and explore potential business opportunities.
For the creatives taking part, the Trade Fair provides a platform to perform before a broad audience, with local poets, rappers, musicians and DJs forming part of the entertainment programme.
With the theme focused on unlocking green economy opportunities, the event is also positioning itself as a platform for conversations around sustainable trade and economic development.
The Trade Fair will run until 6 September at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, with business exhibitions continuing alongside the entertainment, sporting and cultural programme.
After a first day marked by preparations, performances and the arrival of exhibitors, the 58th EITF has now officially set the stage for the week ahead.
