BY AGRIBUSINESS MEDIA REPORTER
MBABANE — Agribusiness small and medium enterprises in Eswatini and across Africa that are ready to grow beyond their local markets have been invited to apply for a new business matchmaking support package under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In a post shared by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the organisation announced a call for expression of interest targeting export-ready agribusiness SMEs that want to trade across Africa and beyond. The programme is aimed at helping selected businesses strengthen their export capacity and connect with buyers, partners and new markets.
The opportunity is open to agribusiness SMEs operating in agriculture or food value chains, especially those that are ready to expand regionally and globally and are willing to take part actively in programme activities.
According to the information shared by ITC, selected businesses will receive targeted support in several key areas that are important for export growth. These include training on AfCFTA opportunities, support on packaging and labelling, access to trade fairs, buyer visits and business matchmaking, as well as opportunities to participate in AfCFTA flagship events.
The programme also promises capacity-building support in the food sector, giving agribusiness enterprises a chance to improve their readiness for formal trade and build stronger links with regional and international markets. The poster further indicates that the initiative is designed to support trade and partnerships in Africa and Switzerland.
For many agribusiness SMEs, one of the biggest challenges is moving from production to structured market access. While some businesses may already have quality products, they often struggle with packaging, export preparation, standards, visibility and connections to serious buyers. The support outlined by ITC appears designed to help address some of these gaps by combining training, exposure and direct market linkages.
This could present a valuable opportunity for Eswatini-based agribusinesses looking to grow their footprint beyond the domestic market. With AfCFTA continuing to promote intra-African trade, local SMEs in food processing, primary agriculture and value addition stand to benefit from programmes that prepare them to compete more effectively across borders.
Women- and youth-led businesses have been strongly encouraged to apply, a move that could help widen participation in export trade and create more inclusive growth within the agribusiness sector.
The call applies to businesses that are not only ambitious, but also prepared to engage fully in the programme. ITC says applicants should be ready to participate actively, suggesting that selected enterprises will need both commitment and capacity to take advantage of the support being offered.
The application deadline is 6 April 2026.
Agribusiness SMEs interested in the opportunity can apply through the ITC application link shared in the organisation’s official post.
This latest call comes as more African agribusinesses seek practical ways to take advantage of AfCFTA by moving from small-scale local trading into wider regional and international markets. For Eswatini’s agribusiness sector, the programme may offer a timely platform for export-oriented businesses to sharpen their competitiveness, improve product presentation and build new commercial relationships beyond the country’s borders.
Apply: https://surveys.intracen.org/…/G2tIYnRbRwsEYVR_X1R9S0d6cno
