Industrial Development Company of Eswatini
Business Tips
Maximizing Your Loans
Have A Clear Plan
- Avoid misusing funds on non essential expenses
- Ensure every cent contributes to business grown
- Convince lenders that you are financially responsible, improving your chances for approval
Use Fund Strategically
- Buying essential equipment that improves productivity
- Expanding product lines or improving services to increase revenue stream
- Expanding product lines or improving services to increase revenue stream
Manage Cash Flow Wisely
- Buying essential equipment that improves productivity
- Expanding product lines or improving services to increase revenue stream
- Expanding product lines or improving services to increase revenue stream
Boost Your Business Credit
- Set up automatic payments to avoid late fees
- Communicate with lender if you foresee financial difficulties
- Avoid taking multiple loans at once, as this increase financial strain
Common Business Financing Mistakes To Avoid
- Taking Too Much Debt
- Not Researching Loan Terms
- Mixing Business & Personal Finances
- Ignoring Cash Flow Management
Download our resources
Our Services
Industrial Development Corporation of Eswatini (IDCE) provides a complete suite of development finance and advisory solutions that stimulate sustainable private-sector growth. We offer short- and long-term funding, asset acquisition, property solutions, and expert advice that put them in a competitive position in getting contracts done on time, building their cash flow, and providing confident expansion.
Order Finance
Turn confirmed purchase orders (from government or corporates) into working cash.
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Working Capital
Smooth cash-flow between supplier payments and customer receipts.
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SME Loans
Fund shop fit-outs, inventory expansions, point-of-sale upgrades, or a new branch in another town
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Asset Lease Finance
Acquire vehicles (bakkies, trucks), forklifts, mixers, or moulding equipment without heavy upfront costs
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Corporate Loans & Equity
Scale manufacturing capacity or integrate upstream/downstream as you grow.
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Advisory Services
Get guidance on structuring deals, expansion planning, and bankability.
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Agricultural Loans
Scale manufacturing capacity or integrate upstream/downstream as you grow.
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Leasing of Industrial Buildings
Get guidance on structuring deals, expansion planning, and bankability.
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Who Are We?
We are Eswatini’s development financier. IDCE promotes and invests in financially viable projects to drive the country’s industrial and private-sector growth across priority sectors. We provide fit-for-purpose finance and practical advisory support—ranging from working capital and SME loans to asset leasing, corporate finance, equity participation, and industrial property leasing—so businesses can start, scale, and modernise. As a long-term partner to entrepreneurs and corporates, we focus on job creation, competitiveness, and sustainable impact, underpinned by sound governance and responsible risk management. From agribusiness and manufacturing to services and infrastructure, we help turn good ideas into bankable projects and deliver growth that benefits the whole economy.
Vision
The preferred development financier.
To stimulate and facilitate sustainable economic growth through the provision of development finance to all sectors of the economy satisfying stakeholder aspirations.
Mission
Our Values
Excellence
Professionalism, efficient processes and effectiveness in all we do
Customer centricity
We are here to serve customers; our customers should always feel valued
Innovation
Proactively searching for new approaches in delivering services, products and projects
Integrity
Being transparent, honest and ethical
Teamwork
The team is more than the individual depending on and valuing the skills and strengths of each other
What we finance
Agri-business
Renewable energy
SMEs
Manufacturing
Commercial property development
Mining
Tourism
Commerce
Services
Our Story
IDCE was formed in 1987 as a joint venture between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and leading international development finance institutions (DEG, CDC, FMO, Proparco, and IFC). Between 2004–2008 the international DFIs exited; the shares were warehoused by Government and later sold to new local shareholders. Today IDCE operates as a private development company that finances projects via equity, loans, finance leasing, and factory buildings for lease
Shareholding
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Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF): 61.95%
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Eswatini Government: 34.95%
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Standard Bank Eswatini: 1.55%
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Nedbank Eswatini Limited: 1.55%
Order Finance
What is Order finance?
Order Finance is short-term funding that turns your purchase order into the cash you need to buy materials, pay suppliers, and deliver
Who is it for?
Suppliers
Contractors
Manufacturers
How it works?
1. Apply for finance
2. We assess & approve
3. You fulfil & repay
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E10,000
Minimum amount: E500 000
Loan Repayment Period
3 – 12 months
Requirements
Legal Documents
- Memorandum of association
- Certificate of incorporation
- Form J
- Form C
- Tax clearance certificate
- Trading license
Business Documents
- A business plan, an application letter, references and cash projections.
- A contract document, a purchase order and letter of intent
- A shareholder’s resolution to borrow
- A contractor’s confirmation of contract
- Company address, bankers (account number and branch), auditors and authorized signatories
- Copy of lease agreement
Promoter Documents
- Identity documents of shareholders and directors
- Passport sized photos
- Personal balance sheets of shareholders and directors
- CV’s of shareholders and directors
- Contact numbers and addresses of shareholders and directors
Contribution Documents
- Bank statement showing proof of 20% contribution
- Proof of first instalment to be paid in advance
- Application fee
Working Capital
What is Working Capital finance?
Short-term financing to pay for your operational costs—so you can fulfil your current orders, restock, pay suppliers and staff, and stay up to date while cash is tied up in invoices or seasonal cycles. This is a product for short- term operational costs.
Who is it for?
Businesses that need cash to run daily operations.
SMEs and established firms needing bridge funding
Companies planning growth but wanting to maintain daily continuity
How it works?
1. Apply for finance
2. We assess & approve
3. You fulfil & repay
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E10,000
Minimum amount: E500 000
Loan Repayment Period
Up to 12 months
Requirements
Legal Documents
- Memorandum of association
- Certificate of incorporation
- Form J
- Form C
- Tax clearance certificate
- Trading license
Business Documents
- A business plan, an application letter, references and cash projections.
- A contract document, a purchase order and letter of intent
- A shareholder’s resolution to borrow
- A contractor’s confirmation of contract
- Company address, bankers (account number and branch), auditors and authorized signatories
- Copy of lease agreement
Promoter Documents
- Identity documents of shareholders and directors
- Passport sized photos
- Personal balance sheets of shareholders and directors
- CV’s of shareholders and directors
- Contact numbers and addresses of shareholders and directors
Contribution Documents
- Bank statement showing proof of 20% contribution
- Proof of first instalment to be paid in advance
- Application fee
SME Loans
What are SME Loans?
SME Loans are medium-term business loans that help you purchase goods and services, cover day-to-day operations, and fund expansion. You get a larger limit and a longer repayment period than short-term facilities, so you can plan and grow with confidence.
Who is it for?
SMEs that need cash to fulfil orders and restock
Businesses planning fit-outs, new equipment, or service expansion
How it works?
1. Apply for finance
2. We assess & approve
3. You fulfil & repay
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E10,000
Minimum amount: E1 500 000
Loan Repayment Period
3 – 5 years
Requirements
Legal Documents
- Memorandum of association
- Certificate of incorporation
- Form J
- Form C
- Tax clearance certificate
- Trading license
Business Documents
- A business plan, an application letter, references and cash projections.
- A contract document, a purchase order and letter of intent
- A shareholder’s resolution to borrow
- A contractor’s confirmation of contract
- Company address, bankers (account number and branch), auditors and authorized signatories
- Copy of lease agreement
Promoter Documents
- Identity documents of shareholders and directors
- Passport sized photos
- Personal balance sheets of shareholders and directors
- CV’s of shareholders and directors
- Contact numbers and addresses of shareholders and directors
Contribution Documents
- Bank statement showing proof of 20% contribution
- Proof of first instalment to be paid in advance
- Application fee
Asset Lease Finance
What is Asset Lease Finance?
Asset Lease Finance is funding that lets your business acquire equipment and vehicles (by leasing them) so you can increase production, meet demand, and stay focused on operations. Typical assets include trucks, machinery, and other equipment used in manufacturing, logistics, and transport.
What you can finance?
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Production machinery
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Trucks, buses, minibuses
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Specialist equipment for your sector
Who is it for?
Manufacturing firms upgrading or expanding machinery
Logistics & transport companies acquiring trucks, buses, minibuses
Any growing business that needs essential equipment to deliver reliably and scale up operations
How it works?
1. Apply for finance
2. We assess & approve
3. You fulfil & repay
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E500,000
Minimum amount: none
Loan Repayment Period
3 – 5 years
Requirements
Legal Documents
- Memorandum of association
- Certificate of incorporation
- Form J
- Form C
- Tax clearance certificate
- Trading license
Business Documents
- A business plan, an application letter, references and cash projections.
- A contract document, a purchase order and letter of intent
- A shareholder’s resolution to borrow
- A contractor’s confirmation of contract
- Company address, bankers (account number and branch), auditors and authorized signatories
- Copy of lease agreement
Promoter Documents
- Identity documents of shareholders and directors
- Passport sized photos
- Personal balance sheets of shareholders and directors
- CV’s of shareholders and directors
- Contact numbers and addresses of shareholders and directors
Asset Leasing Documents
In addition to the documents listed in the general requirements, the following should also be attached:
- 3 quotations
- Asset model for new assets only
- Supplier addresses and contact numbers
- Insurance quote from AON brokers, Lidwala and ESRIC
- Quote for tracking device
Contribution Documents
- Bank statement showing proof of 20% contribution
- Tax invoice with serial engine numbers
- Application fee
Agricultural Loans
What is Agricultural Loans?
Agricultural loans are business loans designed for farmers and agri-businesses to cover operating costs and growth needs—from inputs and labour to equipment and on-farm improvements. At IDCE, this product helps you run your establishment efficiently and pay dues on time, and it welcomes companies, associations and farmer companies. New farming technologies and energy-saving solutions are also considered
Who is it for?
Produce farming and animal husbandry operations
Companies, Associations, Farmer Companies farming on SNL or Title Deed Land.
Farmers looking to modernise with new tech or energy-saving solutions
How it works?
1. Apply for finance
2. We assess & approve
3. You fulfil & repay
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E10,000
Maximum amount: E15 000 000
Loan Repayment Period
3 – 5 years
Requirements
Legal Documents
- Memorandum of association
- Certificate of incorporation
- Form J
- Form C
- Tax clearance certificate
- Trading license
Business Documents
- A business plan, an application letter, references and cash projections.
- A contract document, a purchase order and letter of intent
- A shareholder’s resolution to borrow
- A contractor’s confirmation of contract
- Company address, bankers (account number and branch), auditors and authorized signatories
- Copy of lease agreement
Promoter Documents
- Identity documents of shareholders and directors
- Passport sized photos
- Personal balance sheets of shareholders and directors
- CV’s of shareholders and directors
- Contact numbers and addresses of shareholders and directors
Contribution Documents
- Bank statement showing proof of 20% contribution
- Tax invoice with serial engine numbers
- Application fee
Corporate Loans and Equity
What are Corporate Loans & Equity?
Corporate finance means larger business loans for expansion, new projects, or major assets — typically over multiple years. Equity means IDCE can participate as an investor in suitable projects, sharing risk and aligning returns to growth. This product targets impactful sectors and growth initiatives.
Who is it for?
Businesses executing expansion or greenfield projects
Startups with new technologies and strong business cases
Projects in priority sectors: Energy, Infrastructure, Health, Education
How it works?
Enquire & view
Apply
Lease & move in
Loan Amount Range
Minimum amount: E1 500,000
Maximum amount: none
Requirements
Companies
- Memorandum and articles of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Trading Licence
- Form J & Form C
- IDs of Directors
- ITC (Credit History of Directors and Company)
Sole Traders
- Trading Licence
- IDs of Director
- ITC (Credit History of Directors and Company)
Leasing of Industrial Buildings
What is Leasing of Industrial Buildings?
It’s a property service for businesses that need industrial space to operate—IDCE provides factory/warehouse units (“shells”) you can lease so production, storage, or light-industrial work can start quickly, without buying land or building first. IDCE has industrial space in Matsapha and Mbabane.
Who is it for?
Manufacturing, assembly, and processing operations needing floor space.
Companies, Associations, Farmer Companies farming on SNL or Title Deed Land.
Companies and sole traders (requirements exist for both applicant types).
How it works?
Enquire & view
Apply
Lease & move in
Requirements
Companies
- Memorandum and articles of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Trading Licence
- Form J & Form C
- IDs of Directors
- ITC (Credit History of Directors and Company)
Sole Traders
- Trading Licence
- IDs of Director
- ITC (Credit History of Directors and Company)
Advisory Services
What is Advisory Services?
IDCE’s Advisory Services share the organisation’s local knowledge and experience to help current and prospective clients plan, structure and de-risk their next steps—whether that’s choosing the right finance option, preparing documents, or mapping a growth plan.
Who is it for?
Prospective clients exploring funding and needing guidance on fit and readiness.
Existing clients who want support on execution (cash-flow planning, documentation, timing).
Registered businesses (IDCE funds businesses, not personal loans).
How it works?
Talk to us
Share your goals & basics
Get a practical plan
What we commonly advise on
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Product fit & funding pathways (SME, Working Capital, Order Finance, Asset Lease, Corporate/Equity).
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Application readiness (documents, timing, collateral expectations).
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Property & space considerations (tie-in with Leasing of Industrial Buildings).