Eswatini is leveraging the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2016 between the European Union (EU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to strengthen its international trade presence and tap into an export potential estimated at 114 million dollars.
Preferential Access to the European market
This agreement grants Eswatini, along with five other SADC member countries — Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa — duty-free and quota-free access to the European market. The goal is to stimulate trade, support regional economic development, and protect sensitive sectors, with asymmetric benefits favoring the countries of the region.
Diversification Amid Global Trade Tensions
In a global context marked by rising tariffs, notably those imposed by the United States that indirectly affect Eswatini through its economic integration with South Africa, the country is relying on this partnership to diversify its markets and reduce commercial risks.
A Digital platform to Facilitate Access to the European market
To support this dynamic, SADC and the EU launched in March 2025 an information portal designed to simplify access for companies from the signatory member states to the EU. This digital platform helps Eswatini’s businesses and others better understand European regulations, customs requirements, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and technical norms. It thus eases navigation in a complex trade environment and optimizes export strategies.
A strategic partnerships for Sustainable Growth
Beyond trade, the EU-SADC partnership fits into a broader cooperation framework that includes peace and security, sustainable development, natural resource management, digital transformation, and institutional capacity building.
This partnership benefits from significant financial support under the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual indicative program for Sub-Saharan Africa, with agreements totaling over 160 million EUR.
Perspectives for Eswatini
Thanks to this agreement and the tools provided, Eswatini aims to drive sustainable economic growth, strengthen its resilience against global trade uncertainties, and increase its exports to Europe. This strategy is based on regional integration within SADC and other trade blocs, as well as a desire to diversify partnerships to secure its economic development.
The EU-SADC partnership represents a major opportunity for Eswatini to boost its exports, gain easier access to the European market, and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth amid a complex international context.
