FNB Eswatini has thrown its weight behind the government’s drive to strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs), pledging to deepen investment in local businesses while expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs to participate in the country’s economic growth.
Speaking at the Shiselweni Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards on Monday, FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani Dlamini said the bank was committed to ensuring that local businesses not only access banking services, but also benefit directly from procurement opportunities and tailored business support.
His remarks came as the bank concluded its nationwide Entrepreneur of the Year Awards regional tour, which showcased outstanding entrepreneurs from Lubombo, Hhohho, Manzini and Shiselweni.
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Dlamini said the regional winners had demonstrated that Eswatini possessed entrepreneurs with the talent, resilience and determination to build thriving businesses across different sectors.
“The message is clear. The talent, commitment and perseverance are there among our entrepreneurs.
Our responsibility is to continue partnering with His Majesty’s Government to bring our support even closer to SMEs,” he said.
He welcomed the government’s commitment to creating a more enabling environment for local enterprises, particularly efforts to increase procurement opportunities for Swati-owned businesses.
Dlamini said the bank’s Shared Prosperity agenda complemented the government’s vision by ensuring that economic growth translated into opportunities for communities and emerging businesses.
“We are committed to leveraging our assets to invest meaningfully into different sectors of Eswatini, ensuring that as we grow, the communities around us also grow,” he said.
He said the bank was already putting that commitment into practice through its Buy Swati procurement programme, which prioritises local suppliers in its day-to-day operations.
Pointing to the awards ceremony itself, Dlamini said virtually every service had been delivered by local SMEs.
“From photography to décor, stage and sound, everything you see here has been provided by local businesses.
We want SMEs not only to bank with us but to do business with us because they have demonstrated that they can deliver work of a world-class standard,” he said.
The FNB chief executive also highlighted the bank’s contribution to national development through responsible tax compliance, revealing that the Eswatini Revenue Service had recognised FNB Eswatini as the country’s most tax-compliant financial and insurance institution for the fourth consecutive year.
He said paying taxes enabled Government to invest in public services and development programmes that ultimately strengthened the business environment and created more opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Dlamini said the success stories witnessed throughout the regional tour reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration between Government, financial institutions and the private sector in unlocking the full potential of SMEs.
He cited entrepreneurs ranging from large-scale dairy and beef producer Make Khoza in Lubombo to traditional attire manufacturer Notsa as evidence that local enterprises were already making significant contributions to the economy.
Looking ahead, Dlamini assured entrepreneurs that FNB would continue to listen to their needs and design financial solutions informed by their experiences.
He encouraged business owners to participate in the bank’s SME Growth Forums, describing them as an important platform for direct engagement where entrepreneurs could influence the support and products offered by the bank.
“We will continue to walk this journey with you, listen to you and provide solutions guided by your feedback. Our commitment is to bring practical help closer to every entrepreneur,” he said.
He reaffirmed that FNB remained committed to investing in local enterprises, saying the growth of SMEs was critical to creating jobs, stimulating innovation and building a stronger Eswatini economy.
