Business Customs

Foreigners still largely dominate the Swati business sector and the Swati business community has experience with foreign business people.  Nevertheless, a familiarity with some Swati social and cultural customs would be helpful to any American planning on doing business in the country.

• Although Swati society is apparently open to outsiders, building more significant relationships requires an understanding of Swati norms and relationships. Developing strong institutional and personal relations is possible in Eswatini but takes time. As a close-knit society, understanding interpersonal relationships between business and government counterparts is important for success.
• Historically, there is little indigenous entrepreneurship; as members of a more communally-focused society, Emaswati are accustomed to working within an organization rather than starting businesses. There is a fledgling Swati entrepreneurial community.
• Emaswati tend to be more relaxed and easy-going in business style, both in behavior and ethics.  Business is built less around principles and the honor of a person’s word than on the basis of what works at the time.
• Traditionally, decisions are made communally, not individually. Standing against the majority is not easy. Americans should be conscious of this and not expect rapid decisions.
• Emaswati tend not to be confrontational and at times not forthcoming with opinions. Speaking one’s mind, even when solicited, is not as respected as it is in the United States.
• In making business deals with Swati partners, bargaining is common and expected. It is not an insult to try and talk somebody down.

Foreign business people have noted that native Emaswati can have a difficult time assuming managerial roles. One factor that impinges on their decision-making freedom is reluctance to fire workers or employees connected to the royal family.

Travel Advisory

Please view the Consular Information Sheet. 

Visa Requirements

To travel into Eswatini, a passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short visits of up to 30 days for tourism and business. For further information on visa requirements, contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Eswatini, 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, phone (202) 234-5002.  Email:  embassy@swaziland-usa.com

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s):  https://sz.usembassy.gov/visas/.

Currency

The Eswatini Lilangeni (Emalangeni Plural) is pegged to the South African Rand.  The Rand is also used interchangeably with the Lilangeni. Forex services are done mainly through commercial banks and some of the larger hotel establishments. Credit cards such as MasterCard, VISA, and American Express are widely accepted throughout the country.

Telecommunications/Electronics

The Eswatini government privatized its telecommunications sector, which has catalyzed the launch of new private telecommunications companies such as Eswatini Mobile over the past few years. The increased competition has lowered prices and improved mobile and data offerings in the country. Eswatini offers reliable 2G, 3G, LTE mobile and most recently 5g low orbit satellite by Starlink, provided by SpaceX. Mobile market penetration in Eswatini is above the average for the region, though subscriber growth has slowed in recent years.

The internet sector currently has 21 licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs), but prices remain somewhat high for the region, while market penetration is relatively low.

Telephones in Mbabane and Manzini are connected to the rest of Eswatini and to international operators through the local exchange. Direct dialing is available to many countries, including the U.S.  Internet services including Wi-Fi are available in most hotels, and there are several restaurants and businesses offering Wi-Fi access in Mbabane, Matsapha, and Manzini.

In Eswatini, the power plugs and sockets are of type M, just like in South Africa. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Transportation

There are currently several weekly flights to and from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Harare from King Mswati III International Airport. These are on an 83-seat aircraft managed by Eswatini Airlink and 2 Embraer 50-seater aircrafts managed by Eswatini Air. Good roads link Eswatini to South Africa and Mozambique, and there are multiple shuttles daily between Eswatini and OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

Owning a private car is common in Eswatini, as public transportation is not reliable. Taxis and buses run in the major towns. Paved roads link the main towns, but many side roads are unpaved, dusty, and uneven during the dry season and slippery during the rainy season. 

Motor vehicle registration is simple, provided the car is in good working condition. All cars require a road worthiness certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

In September 2023, the price of gasoline was $4.164/gallon. Unleaded gasoline is available.  Third-party insurance (for injury on a public road) is covered by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) through a levy included in the gasoline price.

Language

English and siSwati are the official languages, and English is the official written language. Businesspeople speaking English will have very little trouble being understood by educated Emaswati.

Health

Medical facilities are available throughout Eswatini. Although the Mbabane Clinic in the capital is small, it is well equipped and well-staffed for minor procedures. For advanced care, Americans often choose to go to South Africa where better facilities and more specialists exist. Most prescription drugs are available locally or can be imported from South Africa. A doctor’s note describing the medication may be helpful if questioned by authorities.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended. Rabies exists in all areas of Eswatini, including Mbabane. Those people who wish to walk or jog are advised to be vaccinated with HDCV.

Eswatini has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates.  [WCM2] [DDN(3] All of the usual precautions must be taken to avoid this easily prevented infection.  In the unlikely case of sexual assault, it is recommended that the victim take post-exposure prophylactics as soon as feasible, and certainly within 48 hours.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Work Week: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Local Holidays:

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Good Friday, Apr 14

Easter Monday, Apr 17

King’s Birthday, Apr. 24

National Flag Day, Apr. 25

National Worker’s Day, May 1

Ascension Day, May 25 (40 days after easter)

Public Holiday, July 22 (birthday of King Sobhuza II)

Umhlanga (Reed Dance), Aug./Sept. (TBA)

Somhlolo (Independence Day), Sept. 6

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Boxing Day Dec. 26

Incwala, Dec./Jan. (TBA)

Swati holidays falling on a Sunday are observed on the following Monday. Holidays falling on a Saturday are observed on that day, unless the GKoE makes an announcement to the contrary.

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Travelers must declare all goods in their possession with the exception of personal clothing, essential toiletries, and used sporting equipment. In order to be free from declaration, these goods must be for travelers’ personal use and not be used as gifts or intended for trade.