🚀Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards Draws 678 Product Nominations in Just 3 Weeks

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In today’s email…

• Eswatini's Local Brands Are Blowing Up

• Standard Bank is making a massive play in Eswatini

• NEED TO KNOW: Bita i-Future with the Standard Loan from YEF!

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Eswatini's Local Brands Are Blowing Up: 678 Nominations & Counting!

Manzini, Eswatini – Forget your imported fancy pants, because local is officially lekker in Eswatini! In just three weeks, the 2025 Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards have racked up a mind-blowing 678 product nominations. That's right, 678! The people of Eswatini are all about supporting their own, and it shows.

Melusi Zox Dlamini, Chairman of A Peculiar People (and clearly, a man who knows a thing or two about peculiar growth), spilled the beans on Thursday. He revealed that those initial entries have been whittled down to over 130 unique and trackable local products. Get ready, folks, because the public voting phase kicks off next Tuesday, June 24th!

"Creating the Future" – More Than Just a Slogan

This year's awards are all about "Creating the Future," and it's not just a catchy theme. Dlamini explained that these awards aren't just about handing out trophies; they're about spotlighting brands that are building a digitally driven, sustainable local economy.

"We believe the future is digital, borderless, and built by conscious consumers who choose local first," Dlamini stated. "This initiative is about much more than recognition; it’s about affirming Eswatini’s entrepreneurial spirit and economic potential.” Preach, Melusi!

The Dream Team: Meet the Jury

To keep things squeaky clean and credible, an eight-member jury has been assembled, led by none other than Business Eswatini (BE) CEO, E. Nathi Dlamini. This isn't just any old group – we're talking experts from retail, finance, sustainability, branding, and product innovation. The Avengers of Eswatini's business world, ready to evaluate brands for excellence, impact, and market readiness.

Your Vote, Your Power: The Two-Tiered Selection Process

This year's awards are a hybrid of sorts. Eight categories will be decided by public vote, giving you, the consumer, the ultimate say. But wait, there's more! Another eight categories will undergo a rigorous technical jury evaluation, focusing on the nitty-gritty of excellence and strategic impact.

Public voting opens on June 24th (mark your calendars!) and closes on July 22nd. You can cast your vote via vote.madeineswatini.africa.com, powered by MTN, for a mere E0.50 per vote, charged through MTN MoMo. Seriously, that's less than a gumball to support local!

Here's where your voice matters:

• Favourite Experience

• Favourite Apparel

• Favourite Drink

• Favourite Taste

• Favourite Home Product

• Favourite Health & Wellness Product

• Favourite Beauty Product

• Made in Eswatini Product of the Year (The big kahuna, decided by you!)

Beyond the Popular Vote: The Jury's Spotlight Categories

While you're busy voting for your faves, the jury will be hard at work, celebrating brands that are truly pushing the envelope in terms of long-term growth and global competitiveness. These categories are all about innovation, impact, and the future:

• Best Youth-Led Brand: Young guns shaping the future.

• Best Women-Led Brand: Celebrating the powerhouses.

• Best in Environmental Sustainability: Because Mother Earth matters.

• Best in Social Impact: Businesses transforming lives.

• Best in Product Design & Packaging: Where beauty meets brains.

• Best in Tech & Innovation: Groundbreaking ideas brought to life.

• Best in Manufacturing: Quality, craftsmanship, and pure excellence.

• Best Emerging Brand: The rising stars to watch.

BE CEO E. Nathi Dlamini, the jury's fearless leader, emphasized that these categories allow them to highlight specific strengths, from sustainability to innovation. He also put out a rallying cry for more support: "Let us make ‘Made in Eswatini’ a brand that commands global respect." We're here for it!

And the Winner Is... (of the Raffle, for now!)

In a little pre-awards sizzle, a raffle was held to celebrate consumer participation. One lucky nominator, picked from the top 10 most active mobile numbers, snagged a one-night stay for two at Silverstone Lodge, a proud winner from the 2024 awards. Talk about a sweet perk for showing some local love!

Jordy Shiba, Head of Commercial Operations at MTN Fintech, perfectly summed up the awards, calling them a "landmark moment for local enterprise and consumer empowerment." He added, "We are taking a bold step forward by inviting the most important voice into the conversation, the customer."

So, Eswatini, are you ready to cast your vote and make your voice heard? Let's celebrate local excellence and build a future where "Made in Eswatini" shines on every shelf!

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Standard Bank Just Dropped a R450 Billion Bomb on Eswatini's Construction Industry

Manzini, Eswatini – Forget concrete jungles, think green oases! Standard Bank is making a massive play in Eswatini, pledging to mobilize over R450 billion in sustainable finance by 2028. This isn't just pocket change; it's a monumental commitment aimed at completely reshaping Eswatini's construction sector.

And get this: a cool E100 billion of that is specifically earmarked for green finance between 2025 and 2028. The goal? To supercharge local contractors and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in building a future that’s not just resilient, but downright green.

This bombshell dropped at the Eswatini Construction Industry Council Stakeholder Forum on June 19, 2025, held at Esibayeni Lodge. Talk about making an entrance!

The Cornerstone of Development Gets a Green Upgrade

Barry Schutzler, Standard Bank Eswatini’s Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, wasn't mincing words. He highlighted the construction industry's vital role in the economy, calling it a "cornerstone of national development."

"It employs thousands, catalyzes investment, and defines the physical shape of our society," Schutzler explained. But he also pointed out the elephant in the room: "Yet today, we face dual challenges: climate vulnerability and a growing need for infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive."

With climate change breathing down Eswatini's neck, the need for climate finance isn't just about saving the planet; it's a massive economic opportunity. The construction sector is front and center for national development, providing jobs and shaping the very infrastructure of the country.

Green for All: SMEs Get a Slice of the Pie

Here's the really good news: Standard Bank isn't just playing with the big boys. They’re making sure that local players, including SMEs, indigenous contractors, and property developers, can also tap into these financial instruments. As long as they meet the basic criteria, the green light is on for everyone.

This push for inclusivity comes hot on the heels of a partnership between Standard Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). They’ve teamed up on a blended finance program, which mixes traditional capital with performance-based incentives. Think of it as a financial power-up!

What’s even cooler? This includes funding support from the UK Government to slash the upfront costs of securing green building certifications. That means developers can get some of their money back for all that sustainable design, certification, and performance monitoring. In return, they get access to cheaper finance and Standard Bank’s broader green lending facilities.

"This means that building green will no longer come with a premium but with financial incentives," Schutzler stated. "We are also exploring offerings that pair technical assistance, working capital, and certification support, enabling smaller players in the value chain to compete." Translation: Going green just became a smart business move.

Eswatini's Green Infrastructure Goldmine

Eswatini’s public infrastructure needs are massive, and Standard Bank sees them as ripe for climate-smart investment. They’ve highlighted key opportunity areas like:

• Energy-efficient schools

• Climate-resilient clinics

• Green social housing

All of these could be built through government-led PPPs, creating a win-win for both the environment and the economy.

Beyond public projects, commercial and residential real estate also stand to benefit from Standard Bank’s green building finance toolkit. This includes structured finance options, advisory services, and even future access to carbon credit monetization. It's a full-service package for anyone looking to build sustainably.

The message from Standard Bank is crystal clear: local stakeholders need to collaborate. Contractors, developers, and government entities must align their efforts to ensure Eswatini truly transitions to a low-carbon, climate-resilient development path.

"Let us collectively unlock the opportunities in climate finance that are waiting, not just in Johannesburg or Windhoek, but right here in Mbabane, Manzini, and beyond," Schutzler concluded.

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