By Siphesihle Dlamini
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini seized the opportunity at the Business Breakfast Meeting with the South African High Commission in Ezulwini on November 13, 2025, to articulate a bold vision for Eswatini\u2019s economic future and its strategic partnership with South Africa.
Describing the gathering as \u201cboth an honour and a privilege,\u201d Dlamini framed the event not merely as a forum for trade discussion but as a critical juncture to \u201cchart a collective path toward transformation, resilience, and inclusive growth\u201d between the two nations.<\/p>\n
Dlamini emphasised that Eswatini and South Africa are more than neighbours; they share a \u201cnatural cord of geography, culture, and a shared aspiration for sustainable prosperity.\u201d
Reflecting on decades of political solidarity, he recalled how Eswatini opened its borders during apartheid to provide a \u201cwarm and loving home\u201d for black South Africans fighting for freedom.<\/p>\n
Since Eswatini\u2019s independence in 1968, South Africa has been a steadfast partner, establishing one of the first formal diplomatic ties and collaborating extensively in the labour, trade, and education sectors.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister described this relationship as \u201cdefined by partnership, mutual respect, and shared development goals,\u201d which has only deepened with South Africa\u2019s democratic transition in 1994.
Addressing a sensitive topic, Dlamini stressed Eswatini\u2019s unique Tinkhundla system of governance, also known as monarchical democracy. He stressed that the system is \u201cdeliberate,\u201d merging \u201cthe good from the western system and the good from our traditional system,\u201d and that Eswatini is \u201cnot apologetic about Tinkhundla.<\/p>\n
\u201d Countering widespread misconceptions that the system lacks democratic principles, he explained that it is modelled on the British county system, using a First Past the Post voting method where individuals are \u201cdirectly voted for based on merit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elected representatives then serve collectively under the constitutional monarch, who \u201cprovides stability and continuity.\u201d Dlamini highlighted that the majority of emaSwati are \u201cat peace with our system of governance,\u201d as demonstrated by the country\u2019s relative peace and stability compared to other regional states.
The Prime Minister presented compelling data underscoring the deep economic integration between Eswatini and South Africa. South Africa remains Eswatini\u2019s largest trading partner, accounting for 84 per cent of total trade.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Eswatini exported goods worth approximately E27.4 billion to South Africa, including scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial fatty acids, oils, and alcohols.<\/p>\n
Imports from South Africa amounted to about E30.9 billion, primarily mineral fuels, vehicles, machinery, and electricity. Trade between the two countries has grown at an annualised rate of nearly 10 per cent over the past five years, illustrating how \u201cdeeply intertwined our economies have become,\u201d as Dlamini put it.
Tourism emerged as another pillar of their bilateral relationship. Eswatini, with its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, is recognised as one of the top five inbound African markets by South African Tourism.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister noted a 13 per cent increase in South African tourists visiting Eswatini in the first nine months of 2025, totalling over 1.1 million visitors.<\/p>\n
Conversely, more than one million Eswatini citizens travelled to South Africa in 2024 for commercial and tourism purposes. This vibrant exchange \u201cdemonstrates the strong ties that exist between our countries,\u201d Dlamini said.
Dlamini unveiled Eswatini\u2019s ambitious transformative agenda launched in 2024, targeting double-digit GDP growth by 2029. Guided by the Nkwe Programme of Action (2023\u20132028) and the Grand Plan for National Transformation, the Kingdom aims to diversify its economy and foster inclusive prosperity.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt their core, these frameworks seek to transform Eswatini into a government-led, private sector-driven economy motivated by competitiveness, innovation, and export diversification,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister underscored that regional collaboration, especially with South Africa, is \u201cindispensable to achieving these ambitions,\u201d signalling a call for deeper economic integration.<\/p>\n
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Despite its small size and landlocked status, Eswatini\u2019s economy grew nearly 5 per cent in 2023, reflecting resilience and dynamism. Key sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, mining, energy, infrastructure, IT, and education offer expanding opportunities for investors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking for serious investors that will find a home in our beautiful kingdom and are ready to partner with serious mega investors,\u201d Dlamini said. He highlighted the need for investments in clean energy technology to produce at least 1000MW of baseload power to catalyse industrialisation.
The government has introduced reforms to streamline business processes, including the launch of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) and legislation to offer permanent residency by investment.<\/p>\n
Eswatini\u2019s strategic position as a gateway to global markets is reinforced by trade agreements with Africa, the EU, the UK, and Taiwan, along with one of the lowest US import tariffs at 10 per cent, making it an attractive destination for investors.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Dlamini called for a reimagined partnership between Eswatini and South Africa. \u201cLet Eswatini and South Africa move beyond being trading partners to becoming co-creators of regional value chains and industrial ecosystems,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n
He described the relationship as \u201ca beacon of enduring friendship and mutual benefit\u201d and expressed confidence that combining Eswatini\u2019s transformative agenda with South Africa\u2019s industrial might would unlock \u201ca new era of regional competitiveness and prosperity.\u201d
Acknowledging the practical realities of business, he added, \u201cWe know that businesses want to make money and use it, hence our policies that allow one to move profits. So, we can prosper together.<\/p>\n
\u201d Quoting Jamie Buckingham, Dlamini reflected on the audacity of Eswatini\u2019s vision: \u201cEswatini is attempting something so big, that unless God intervenes, it is bound to fail.<\/p>\n
\u201d He ended with a stirring call for African unity: \u201cIt is time that Africa embraces its own worth together, for Africa\u2019s future is so bright that not even the vilest of evil can dim it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Siphesihle Dlamini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini seized the opportunity at the Business Breakfast Meeting with the South…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,23,24,25],"tags":[46,55,73,82,58],"class_list":["post-5703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","category-finance","category-future","category-national","tag-africa","tag-business","tag-eswatini","tag-finance","tag-national","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n