Asian-Owned Shops Are Closed in Eswatini as Crackdown on Foreign Businesses Widens

Businesses owned by Asian nationals are being closed across Eswatini. A wider crackdown on foreign-owned enterprises is being carried out by the government.

The Citizen Economic Empowerment Act was approved by Parliament recently. Participation by emaSwati, the kingdom's citizens, is meant to be raised.

Complaints were raised by local traders over foreign competition in retail. Livelihoods are said to be threatened by the rising competition.

Far harsher enforcement has been seen in South Africa, where raids and arrests have been carried out. Action against foreign traders has also been stepped up in Kenya.

A heated debate has been sparked in Parliament by the rollout. Views remain divided on how quickly foreign owners should be required to leave.

Closures were said to have already begun, according to Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini. Asian-owned shops were being closed by trade ministry officials.

Immediate action was demanded by Hhohho Regional MP Tanele Magagula. Businesses owned by foreigners in rural areas should be seized immediately.

Doubts were raised about whether local entrepreneurs were ready to take over. Three years of training time for successors was proposed by Dlamini.

That proposal was rejected by Magagula, who questioned the wait. Her view was that struggling traders should not be made to wait.

A compromise was reached, with foreign owners given at least 12 months to leave. Enforcement could continue under current provisions unless the law is amended.

Inspections were launched by the trade ministry in August. Some inspected businesses in Mbabane were found to be fully compliant.

Concerns about working conditions were raised during the inspections. Complaints about days off, annual leave and overtime were made by employees.

At least one case is still being investigated by authorities. The findings are expected to shape future enforcement.

Economic hardship has been felt across Eswatini, a small landlocked kingdom. About 70 per cent of the population is said to live below the poverty line.

The new law is being promoted as a way to widen opportunities. Concerns that poverty and hunger could fuel unrest have been voiced.

Pressure on foreign-owned businesses has also been building across the region. Raids, arrests and looting have been caused by anti-immigration campaigns in South Africa.

A deadline to leave was given to undocumented immigrants on July 30, 2026. The campaign was intensified by the March and March movement that day.

Another protest was staged on September 30. Attacks on foreign-owned businesses have been reported alongside the campaigns.

Two Ghanaian and two Nigerian nationals have reportedly been killed. The deaths have been linked to the rising tensions.

Renewed attention has been drawn to the treatment of foreign nationals in the region. Their businesses are now being watched closely across Southern and East Africa.