Mbabane, Eswatini – In a significant boost for women entrepreneurs in Eswatini, the Women Business Start-up Microfinance Revolving Fund has disbursed over E4 million to support more than 255 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The fund, implemented through the Kuyenteka Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, was officially launched during a ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn on September 20, 2024.

The event was attended by Eswatini’s Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Manqoba Khumalo, and Ching-lin Tsuei, Taiwan’s Minister, underscoring the deep partnership between Eswatini and Taiwan. The fund is aimed at providing financial assistance and capacity-building support to aspiring women entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable growth and empowering them to drive change in their communities.

The Kuyenteka Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, formed by local entrepreneurs, is tasked with executing the fund’s operations. Through this initiative, women entrepreneurs can access loans to start or grow their businesses, while also benefiting from capacity-building programs designed to equip them with the necessary skills to ensure long-term success.

Minister Khumalo praised the initiative, emphasizing its critical role in supporting economic development and job creation for women across the country. “This fund not only offers financial backing but also strengthens the capacity of women entrepreneurs to become self-sufficient and thrive in today’s challenging business landscape,” he said.

Representing Taiwan, Minister Tsuei commended the fund’s performance and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to supporting Eswatini’s economic empowerment initiatives. He referred to the initiative as a “circle of love,” highlighting Taiwan’s unwavering support for local development.

The fund’s success in disbursing E4 million marks an important milestone in the effort to promote women-led businesses and foster economic growth in Eswatini.