Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

FOREIGN ENTREPRENEURS PLEDGE CUTTING-EDGE INVESTMENT

By SIBUSISO DLAMINI | 2024-04-30

As His Majesty King Mswati celebrated 56th birthday, the tetfulo event bore witness to a remarkable fusion of tradition and enterprise.

With gifts totalling over E10 million bestowed upon the monarch, the event not only showcased the nation's reverence for culture and traditions as it attracted the attention of foreign entrepreneurs eager to not only set up shop, but participate in the country’s rich culture.

In his address, His Majesty the King appreciated the enthusiastic engagement of these international business figures, in particular their willingness to integrate into the fabric of Emaswati society.

Accepting
Conversing with the businesspersons briefly when accepting the gifts, the king emphasised a pivotal vision for economic progress, advocating for a shift towards manufacturing endeavours over conventional distribution channels.

The Sunday Observer spoke to three of these businesses; one already established and the others, still eyeing the country’s shores for future investment.

GUGU: Sustainable connectivity start-up

In the ever-evolving tapestry of technological progress, the thread of connectivity weaves a vital pattern, yet across rural landscapes, the fabric of energy access remains frayed.

Enter Gugu, a pioneering sustainable connectivity start-up with a dream as bold as it is inspiring. With a noble ambition to revolutionise sustainable, energy access not only for Emaswati but the entire African continent.

Based in California, United States of America, the South African-born start-up’s founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nkanyiso Madlala, shares how the company aims to bring light to people in Africa affected by the digital divide and energy poverty.

Madlala spent four years transforming South African communities, working as a senior engineer with BEKA Schreder, the largest public lighting manufacturing company in South Africa and Africa.

His team in Durban designed the first LED lighting project in the Southern hemisphere at the Moses Mabhida Stadium led by his mentor, the late Derek Watson, Africa’s number one lighting expert.

They would later proceed to design all of the LED lighting for the soccer stadiums in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup as well as all of the airports within South Africa.

He says the company aims to not just change realities, but redefine them, casting a radiant light on the path to a brighter, more connected tomorrow through innovation and dedication.

“Our assignment is to give every home in Africa internet and electricity access backed by the world’s first personal fuel cell developed in the USA, and we would like to have our manufacturing facility in Eswatini,” he said.

According to Madlala, Gugu is not just a company, but a beacon of hope, striving to bridge the digital divide and eradicate energy poverty in Africa, emphasising the mission to bring light to the darkest corners of the continent.

“Gugu’s subsidiary Gugu GYFT owns a stake in GYFT Labs Inc, the designer of the Aquaboost power station, which we envisage manufacturing the water-powered energy technology to offset the pain of energy insecurity in Southern Africa and the African population of 1.3 billion impacted negatively by the usage of kerosene lamps, candles and electricity insecurity,” he stated, emphasising the company’s commitment to the nation's development.

He explained that Aquaboost only uses water and table salt to generate electricity, which reduces climate change effects and leads into the future of a just transition.

“Many Africans use solutions like solar home systems and uninterrupted power supply systems which need the sun or grid power to charge these devices. Aquaboost, on the other hand, is completely non-toxic and is easy to use as it weighs only 1kg,” he stated.

He said Eswatini was the most ideal place to make such a product as Gugu because it produces a lot of sugarcane, and the sugarcane bagasse from sugarcane can be used to make Aquaboost housing, therefore, assisting the sugarcane industry become more neutral.

He promised that Gugu’s vision in the country extends far beyond mere profit, as it is about catalysing economic growth, creating job opportunities and fostering prosperity.

“Our manufacturing facility in Eswatini would not only provide jobs and boost local economic activity, but it would also foster growth within rural and peri-urban communities, while cultivating local talent and driving technological advancements,” he said, shining light on Gugu's commitment to empowering the country’s youth.

Focusing attention on empowering the youth, he expressed interest in investing in skills development and fostering collaboration with local institutions to create a brighter future for generations to come.

“Eswatini youth would benefit from the facility and the skills to make and improve upon the technology as in collaboration with the government to develop and improve upon the technology together with Gugu,” he said.

As the company prepares to embark on its transformative journey in the country, Madlala envisions a network of local entrepreneurs serving as ambassadors for change.

“We were very pleased by His Majesty’s support and excitement over opening our very first factory in Eswatini because we believe we will inaugurate a new era of clean energy and economic growth,” Madlala said, giving prominence to the importance of collaboration and shared vision.

He disclosed plans to work with local entrepreneurs as ambassadors to distribute the technology to every home and business in the country, as well as institutions of learning, NGOs, and governments to make Aquaboost available to the nation at large.

“In cases of disasters, the Aquaboost can alleviate the pain of a lack of energy access and communication, which would help people stay, connected to their loved ones and each other, while also assisting children in schools to learn better at night and help them to study safer,” he said.

He further elucidated on how Gugu aims to mitigate environmental impact and support the country’s transition to a greener future by harnessing clean energy technology and exploring eco-friendly materials, such as sugarcane bagasse.

“It is imperative that we embrace sustainable solutions in the face of climate change,” said Madlala, emphasising commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Gugu's mission goes beyond technology; it's about empowering communities and fostering resilience,” Madlala emphasises, bringing to the spotlight the company’s commitment to community engagement.

“We intend to create safer, more resilient communities, where every home has access to clean energy and connectivity,” he stated.

As Gugu prepares to embark on its transformative journey in the country, the company’s commitment to driving sustainable development and illuminating a path to prosperity for the nation’s young people is definitely a beacon of hope amid the challenges of unemployment and energy generation.

AFTRADE DMCC: Agricultural machinery

AFTRADE DMCC, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, says it intends to make a mark in the country’s agricultural landscape to ensure transformation from the current labour-intensive farming methods to mechanised, more efficient ones.

With an eye on untapped opportunities and a commitment to driving sustainable growth, the company's interest in the country’s agricultural sector, as stated by the company’s representative Yuliya Kireyeva, signals a promising partnership on the horizon.

“Our interest in venturing into the Eswatini market is driven by recognition of its strategic importance and untapped potential for agricultural development,” Kireyeva said, emphasising the company’s eagerness to contribute to the country’s economic prosperity. Anticipating the challenges posed by climate change and evolving agricultural landscapes, Kireyeva outlined

AFTRADE DMCC's proactive approach to addressing these concerns.
“We plan that our forthcoming initiatives in Eswatini would focus on introducing advanced agricultural technologies, facilitating access to state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, and establishing robust support systems for training and maintenance,” she explains, highlighting the company's commitment to fostering resilience and sustainability within the sector.

Drawing upon a wealth of experience garnered from successful ventures across the African continent, Kireyeva said the company was well-positioned to navigate the intricacies of the country’s agricultural landscape.

“Our proven track record in implementing impactful agricultural projects serves as a testament to our ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments,” she said, expressing confidence in the company's capacity to deliver tangible results.

“While Eswatini's agricultural sector presents unique challenges, it also offers immense opportunities for growth and innovation,” she stated, calling attention to the company’s readiness to collaborate with local stakeholders and harness the country’s agricultural potential to its fullest extent.

She disclosed that AFTRADE DMCC was actively engaging with governmental bodies, private enterprises and local communities to lay the groundwork for fruitful partnerships in anticipation of its impending entry into the country.

“We believe collaboration and mutual support are integral to the success of any venture,” Kireyeva said, giving prominence to the company's commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.

Reflecting on the transformative impact of His Majesty's visionary leadership, Kireyeva said it was what made the company optimistic about the country being a conducive environment for investment.

“Under His Majesty's guidance, Eswatini is poised to unlock its full potential and chart a course towards economic prosperity, because the King embraces forward-thinking initiatives and partnerships,” she said, making a point of how the company looks to play a catalytic role in unlocking the country’s agricultural potential and driving sustainable growth through a steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation and partnership.

share story