AfCFTA boss to speak at Eswatini investment meet

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will be among the key speakers at the inaugural Eswatini Investment Conference scheduled to take place from 14 to 15 May 2025 in Mbabane.

The conference, hosted by the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, is being held to position Eswatini as a prime destination for trade and investment. Themed Creating opportunities for rapid economic transformation, the event will draw participation from international, regional, and local investors, alongside policymakers and financial institutions.

Mene, who heads the implementation of Africa’s largest free trade agreement, is expected to address the role of continental trade integration in boosting Eswatini’s economy. He was elected by the 33rd Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly and is the first person to serve in the role.

Before assuming his current position, Mene was South Africa’s lead negotiator for the AfCFTA and Tripartite Free Trade Area, during his tenure as Chief Director for Africa Economic Relations at the Department of Trade and Industry. He also served as Director of International Trade and Investment Law, advising the South African government on legal matters related to trade and investment.

From 2010 to 2015, Mene represented South Africa at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, where he chaired the Committee on Trade in Financial Services. His legal career began at Wall Street firms with postings in London and Hong Kong.

He holds degrees from Rhodes University, SOAS University of London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Deliberations at the conference will focus on agriculture, manufacturing, energy, ICT, infrastructure, tourism, and mining. Strategic sessions will explore Eswatini’s investment landscape, its comparative advantages, and ongoing government efforts to attract direct investment.

The event is backed by several sponsors including Standard Bank, MTN Eswatini, DP World, Eswatini Air, and CNBC Africa.