In a significant stride towards actualizing Eswatini’s economic transformation goals, Business Eswatini (BE) is proud to announce the appointment of a dedicated expert to lead the charge in operationalizing the State Business Relations (SBR) Framework. This strategic move solidifies the private sector’s commitment to driving national growth through structured and effective collaboration with the government.

The appointment heralds a new era of proactive engagement, positioning the SBR as a dynamic engine for economic reform. Following extensive preparatory work by Business Eswatini to establish this vital platform, the organisation is now poised to accelerate progress on key national priorities. This initiative directly responds to the government’s recent high-level commitments to creating a more competitive and investment-friendly Eswatini.

The urgency and importance of this enhanced collaboration were powerfully underscored in the recent 2026 Cabinet Retreat Declaration. Under the theme “Transforming Eswatini Through Effective Execution,” Cabinet explicitly identified the SBR and the National Competitiveness Council as critical mechanisms for fast-tracking decisions, removing policy bottlenecks, and unlocking investment. This was reinforced by the 2026/27 National Budget, where the Minister of Finance highlighted a critical phase of economic transformation centered on stronger institutions, private sector growth, and vital reforms to improve the investment climate and spur job creation.

A Leader for the Task: Meet the SBR Expert

To steer this ambitious agenda, Business Eswatini has sourced a professional whose qualifications and background are impeccably aligned with the task at hand. We are delighted to introduce Ms. Violet Bulunga as the new SBR Expert. Ms. Bulunga brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in fostering public-private dialogue, making her the ideal candidate to bridge the gap between policymakers and the business community. Her expertise will be instrumental in translating strategic dialogue into tangible outcomes, ensuring that the SBR platform delivers on its promise to resolve competitiveness constraints and promote sustainable development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Bulunga to the Business Eswatini team. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment, transforming our vision for structured state-business relations into an operational reality,” said E.Nathi Dlamini, CEO of Business Eswatini. “The government has clearly articulated its ambition for economic transformation, and the private sector is eager to be the driving force behind it. With Ms. Bulunga’s leadership, we are confident that the SBR will become the primary vehicle for co-creating solutions that unlock investment, remove policy barriers, and generate the jobs our nation needs.”

The SBR framework is designed to provide a consistent and structured platform for public-private dialogue, directly aligning with the national development pillars outlined in the recent Speech from the Throne, which emphasized investment promotion, private sector expansion, and job creation. With the foundational work now complete and a proven expert at the helm, Business Eswatini is sending a clear signal: the private sector is not just a participant in Eswatini’s economic future, but a leading architect. The appointment of Ms. Bulunga is a confident step towards a future where streamlined collaboration between government and business unlocks Eswatini’s full economic potential.