Last week, Minister Manqoba Khumalo led a distinguished delegation to Nigeria, seeking inspiration from one of Africa’s most vibrant industrial success stories: the Lekki Free Trade Zone. This visit marked a significant step in Eswatini’s quest to boost its industrial sector and attract more investment.
The Lekki Free Trade Zone, a flagship project in Nigeria, is a testament to what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships. Built through a collaboration between the Lagos State Government and a Chinese investment consortium, the zone features cutting-edge infrastructure—including a deep-water port and a dedicated power plant—designed to support thriving industries like manufacturing, tech, and logistics.
With a clear vision to invigorate Nigeria’s economy, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen regional trade links, Lekki is more than just an industrial park; it’s a blueprint for economic transformation. It’s also connected to the larger Lagos Free Zone, home to over 50 enterprises that generate substantial revenue and employment.
Khumalo’s delegation, which included Members of Parliament from the Ministry’s House of Assembly Committee and senior officials from the Department of Industries, aimed to learn from Nigeria’s experience in managing and developing such zones. Their goal? To adapt these successful strategies for Eswatini’s own industrial ambitions.
The visit was hosted by Kellogg Tolaram, Nigeria’s powerhouse conglomerate and one of the largest private employers in the country. With over 20,000 employees across manufacturing and distribution, Kellogg Tolaram exemplifies how strategic industry partnerships can transform a nation’s economic landscape.
Minister Khumalo expressed optimism about the visit, emphasizing its importance for Eswatini’s future industrial growth: “Lekki Free Trade Zone shows what’s possible when government and business unite. We’re eager to bring these lessons home and strengthen our own Special Economic Zones to unlock new opportunities for our people.”
Among the delegation were notable figures such as MP Masiphula Mamba, Chairperson of the Ministry’s Portfolio Committee, alongside MPs Wilton Nkambule, Ndumiso Gadlela, Sibongile Mamba, and Mthayiphi Dlamini from the Department of Industries.
This Nigerian visit signals a new chapter in Eswatini’s journey to position itself as a competitive manufacturing hub in Southern Africa. The kingdom’s current SEZs—the Royal Science and Technology Park and the King Mswati III International Airport SEZ—are already attracting investment, offering incentives like tax breaks, duty-free imports, and faster customs procedures to lure foreign investors.
Kellogg Tolaram’s Bold Expansion: Creating Jobs and Driving Regional Trade
Meanwhile, Kellogg Tolaram Group is gearing up for a major expansion that could transform the economic landscape of Eswatini. Announced during the recent Investment Conference, the plan aims to ramp up manufacturing capacity and extend supply networks across SADC, with the potential to create up to 10,000 new jobs.
The company is already a key player in Eswatini’s private sector, operating the Lush Hair Factory in Ngwenya, which employs around 700 locals, and the Sibebe Kellogg Tolaram noodle plant in Matsapha, providing jobs for about 300 people. Now, with this new phase of growth, Kellogg Tolaram is set to deepen its regional footprint.
Executives shared their vision during the Lagos visit, outlining plans to enhance production facilities, optimize supply chains, and boost exports to neighboring countries. This expansion not only highlights Kellogg Tolaram’s confidence in Eswatini but also underscores the country’s rising status as a regional investment hotspot.
