By: Nkosiyabusa Nsibande
The celebration of the International Day of Co-operatives at the Mavuso Trade Centre has placed renewed attention on one of Eswatini’s most important, yet often underappreciated, economic institutions. While the day’s program featured cultural activities, exhibitions, and community engagement, the underlying message was unmistakably economic: co-operatives remain a powerful vehicle for building inclusive prosperity by enabling ordinary citizens to pool resources, share risks, and participate more effectively in the formal economy.
Led by the Minister for Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, the event brought together a broad cross-section of the country’s co-operative movement under the global theme, “Co-operatives for a Peaceful World.” The celebrations began with a march from Jubilee Park to the Mavuso Trade Centre before participants showcased products and services, demonstrating the growing diversity of co-operative enterprises operating across agriculture, manufacturing, retail, financial services and community development.
From a financial perspective, co-operatives occupy a unique position within Eswatini’s economic landscape because they lower the cost of entrepreneurship. Rather than requiring individuals to mobilise significant amounts of capital independently, the co-operative model allows members to combine financial resources, share operational expenses and collectively invest in productive assets that would otherwise remain beyond their reach. This shared ownership structure not only reduces business risk but also improves access to markets, strengthens bargaining power and enables members to retain a greater share of the value generated by their enterprises.
The exhibitions held during the celebrations illustrated how co-operatives continue to create commercial opportunities across different sectors of the economy. By bringing producers, service providers and consumers together under organised business structures, co-operatives contribute to stronger local supply chains while encouraging domestic production. Their ability to aggregate production also enhances competitiveness by improving consistency, quality and market access, factors that are increasingly important as Eswatini seeks to expand regional and international trade opportunities.
One of the most significant moments of the day came from students of Dvokolwako High School, who shared a testimony on the practical benefits of participating in co-operatives. Their experiences highlighted how financial literacy, savings discipline and entrepreneurship can be cultivated at an early age through collective enterprise. As youth unemployment continues to challenge many developing economies, introducing young people to co-operative business models equips them with practical financial management skills while encouraging self-employment instead of sole reliance on formal job opportunities.
For policymakers, the continued growth of the co-operative sector aligns closely with national objectives of broadening financial inclusion and strengthening small enterprise development. Co-operatives provide an institutional framework through which communities can mobilize savings, invest collectively, and create businesses capable of generating sustainable incomes. This community-centered approach also contributes to greater economic resilience by ensuring that profits and assets remain within local economies, supporting household consumption, employment creation, and long-term wealth accumulation.
Although this year’s celebration was framed around peace, the economic significance of co-operatives extends well beyond social cohesion. Stable and financially empowered communities are generally more resilient to economic shocks, better positioned to create employment, and more capable of supporting inclusive development. As Eswatini continues to pursue private sector-led growth, the co-operative movement remains an important pillar for expanding economic participation, particularly among women, youth, and rural entrepreneurs who often face limited access to finance and conventional business opportunities.
The International Day of Co-operatives therefore served not only as a celebration of collective enterprise but also as a reminder that sustainable economic growth is strengthened when communities are empowered to become investors, producers, and business owners. In an economy where inclusive growth remains a national priority, cooperatives continue to demonstrate that shared ownership can deliver both commercial value and long-term financial resilience.
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