The 56th edition of the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF), a flagship event that has showcased the best of business and agriculture since its inception in 1968, will take place at the magnificent Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini, Eswatini (the Kingdom formerly known as Swaziland) from August 30th to September 8th, 2024.

Over the past decades, the EITF has evolved into Eswatini’s premier business networking event, attracting over 250 exhibitors and vendors from across the globe. This year, more than 500,000 visitors are anticipated, generating millions in economic activity through direct and indirect contributions. The EITF is projected to create potential trade opportunities worth E150 million, underscoring its significant impact on the country’s economy and the immense potential for local businesses.

In response to the digital age, the EITF is unveiling the EITF App, which allows exhibitors to apply and make payments seamlessly, eliminating the need for paper applications. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also reflects the ongoing transformation of the business environment in the digital era.

This year’s theme, “Accelerating Business Growth through Digital Transformation,” emphasizes the critical role of digitization in promoting efficiencies and sustainable practices. The commitment to digital transformation is further illustrated by e-Government initiatives, which streamline the process of applying for permits and making payments through platforms like Momopay.

Additionally, a recent partnership with a Taiwanese entity to develop BuyEswatini.com, an e-commerce platform, signifies Eswatini’s dedication to leveraging digital tools for business growth. Digitization is not only vital for local enterprises but also opens avenues for intra-African trade, allowing the benefits of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to be harnessed.

The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority’s (EIPA) new tagline, CONNECT | CREATE | GROW, encapsulates the value the EITF offers, connecting domestic and international businesses with suppliers and buyers, and fostering a dynamic exchange of innovative ideas and products.

Engagement with the EITF is encouraged via social media, participation in the campaign, and utilization of branded buses traveling across the country, which will also transport visitors, ensuring access to this exceptional event.

Businesses that have not yet secured their exhibit space are encouraged to act quickly. Partnerships and sponsorships are crucial to the success of the EITF, and innovative proposals are welcome. Commitments for free Wi-Fi and sponsorship for the popular Win-A-Car competition have already been secured.

Eswatini is open for business, and the EITF stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s dedication to economic growth and development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Press contact:
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade
Kingdom of Eswatini
Press Officer: Andile Dlamini
Email: Dlaminia628@gmail.com

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and members of the UN Delegation including UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Elena Panova, and UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Development Agenda, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, said the UN Deputy Secretary-General conveyed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ greetings to President El-Sisi. She noted that Mr. Guterres looks forward to further advancing cooperation and coordination between the two sides. This was appreciated by President El-Sisi, who lauded the UN Secretary General’s positive stances on regional challenges.

The meeting focused on ways to strengthen the outstanding and historical cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations. The two sides reviewed Egypt’s role across various axes of multilateral cooperation, notably in the domains of security and peace, climate change, and achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.

The talks tackled the latest regional developments, ways to achieve calm and restore stability in the region, as well as ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and exchange detainees. This is in addition to Egypt’s intensive efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and relief into the Strip and the obstacles it encounters. Both sides stressed the significance of the pivotal role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and the increasing importance of this role at the present time, given the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

On Sudan, President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s keenness on reaching a ceasefire, protecting Sudan’s resources and its brotherly people, and preserving state institutions and sovereignty. He stressed the need for concerted international and regional efforts to provide all means of support to end the political crisis and the humanitarian tragedy that the brotherly Sudanese people have been enduring.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General lauded Egypt’s active role within international fora, particularly the United Nations. She also commended its unyielding efforts towards peace and stability in the region, with the aim of sparing it from a regional confrontation that could inflict severe negative regional and international repercussions. The UN official also stressed the United Nations’ appreciation for Egypt’s pivotal humanitarian role in the refugee dossier in the region, and the burdens it endures in this regard. She affirmed the United Nations’ keenness on continuing and intensifying coordination and effective cooperation with Egypt across all levels.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The ECOWAS Commission through the Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Migration conducted a Cross Border Cooperation Project Monitoring and Evaluation exercise from 14-19 August 2024, in Wellingara-Ba, The Gambia, to assess the level of implementation of the Wellingara-Ba Lumo (Market) project.

The Wellingara-Ba Lumo project, being financed by the ECOWAS Commission under the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP), is developed by the Gambian Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment which houses the ECOWAS National Office, in collaboration with the Mansakonko Area Council. The purpose is to convert the local market in the area to a modern Cross-Border Trading Centre.

The Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng who led the Monitoring and Evaluation team on behalf of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, commended the level of the progress of the project thus far, citing the advanced stage of the main structures, the completed  solar-powered borehole and solar-powered lights as well as a perimeter fence as welcome developments towards the completion of the Wellingara-Ba Lumo.

Speaking during the assessment of the Project site, the Head of the ECOWAS National Office of The Gambia, Mrs. Ndeye Taraba Touray briefed the ECOWAS Commission’s Monitoring and Evaluation team on details of the project and highlighted some of its challenges which include the need for additional financing for its completion.

The Wellingara-Ba Lumo Project is expected to have fifty market stalls, six toilet facilities – three for male and three for females and a cold storage facility whilst noting that there are two hundred and fifty (250) registered market women.

The ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme is a Multi-Sectoral Development Programme that works with local communities in border regions to ensure social cohesion, regional construction and sustainable development. Within the framework of the programme, the ECOWAS Commission had disbursed a one hundred thousand US Dollars ($100,000) subvention to Member States towards the implementation identified tangible cross-border projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Government of Japan will hold the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on August 24 and 25. At the meeting, participants will hold discussions towards TICAD 9, which is to be held from August 20 to 22, 2025 in Yokohama.

On the occasion of the Meeting, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, will hold bilateral and other meetings with ministers of African countries and seek to strengthen the relationship between Japan and African countries.

On this opportunity, thematic events will also be held on various topics, including youth, education, and health.

(Reference1) Attendees and co-organizers

Attendees: Delegations including foreign ministers from African countries, international organizations, African regional organizations, the private sector, the civil society, among others
TICAD co-organizers: Government of Japan, the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and African Union Commission (AUC)

(Reference2) Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

TICAD is an international conference led by Japan to discuss the development of Africa. Since TICAD I in 1993, TICAD had been held every five years until TICAD V, which was held in 2013. In 2016, TICAD VI was held in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) for the first time, and since then, TICAD has been held every three years. TICAD 9 will be held from August 20 to 22, 2025 in Yokohama.

(Reference3) Thematic Events

Various organizations will hold thematic events on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting. Specifically, they include a Model of the African Union by university students, proposals by youths, a panel discussion on innovation in Africa, an event hosted by the civil society, and two health-related events that will discuss the use of Japanese companies’ innovation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and global health financing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.