Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances II

Overview

Summary

The project will seek to generate a private sector-led export drive, with implementation relying on the “Alliance for Action“ (A4A) approach, that has successfully been applied already in other EU-funded programmes. This involves building up alliances that bind value chain actors in collectively upgrading Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), value-chains and support services in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, including value addition, public private dialogue and strong anchoring in markets. Following a diagnosis phase, solutions are collectively developed to address the major hindrances of the MSME sector in an inclusive manner, so as to also benefit people living in vulnerable situations or under-represented groups such as youth, women entrepreneurs and people with disabilities.

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Partners

Funder

European Commission, Directorate-General International Partnerships

Sustainable Development Goals

This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Eswatini: Creating jobs and export-led growth

The ITC-Alliances for Action project 'Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances' supports job creation for small farmers, entrepreneurs and artisans. Eswatini offers the global market unique organic produce, artisan roasted coffee, handmade cultural creations and gourmet condiment lines.

The country has prioritized private sector-led growth and an export-led economy to counter its high levels of poverty and unemployment, and low levels of investment. But MSMEs are still faced with key structural problems that need to be addressed if Eswatini is to overcome its endemic employment challenges.

We understand these challenges, so we work with the government to improve the country’s business climate and attract investment.

We also work closely with smallholder farmers, agro-processors and artisans in Eswatini to support them in ways that are sustainable and benefit both people and the planet. In this way, we foster and preserve cultural heritage, and draw on artisan skills and concepts of green growth.

We can build a green transition, but not alone. We contribute to the livelihoods of our farmer community. Through alliances and collaboration, businesses can be part of the solution

Eswatini Coffee, Eswatini

We care about the environment we live in. We help build resilient systems that give to the people and give back to the earth. If we want people to keep thriving today and tomorrow, we need to start giving back to our environment.

Guba Permaculture, Eswatini

We act by transforming what some might see as waste into a green product that both honours our culture and creates jobs for our community. By engaging a circular economy, we can produce with intention, protect our environment and grow our economies sustainably. Everybody wins.