Siphofaneni, Eswatini — A wave of local economic upliftment has swept through Siphofaneni following the official opening of a new Hungry Lion franchise, which has already employed twenty Emaswati. The announcement was made by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the fast-food chain’s expansion into the region.

Key Highlights:

• 20 new jobs created for locals, with a focus on youth employment.
• Hungry Lion committed to training and hiring local staff.
• Local sourcing of products to strengthen domestic supply chains.
• Minister Khumalo emphasized the importance of business alliances and community empowerment.
• Ceremony followed by a visit to Mushumpula Care Point, where food parcels were donated to local children.

Minister Khumalo Applauds Local Economic Contributions

“New investments in the country create jobs and contribute to economic growth,” stated Minister Khumalo. “I have been informed that Hungry Lion has committed to hiring and training local staff which will create valuable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth of this community and surrounding areas.”

He further urged local companies to take advantage of business linkages by supplying quality inputs to the new store—an approach that reinforces the local value chain and promotes inclusive economic participation.

Hungry Lion’s Local Legacy

The Minister acknowledged Hungry Lion’s longstanding footprint in the Kingdom of Eswatini, dating back to 1999, with Elangeni Food Group’s operations stretching as far back as 1994. Their decision to source meat and other supplies locally not only supports Eswatini producers but also reflects a strong alignment with the government’s push for economic sustainability.