By Mbongeni Ndlela
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has intensified Eswatini’s drive to secure greater international climate financing, calling for increased investment to help the country strengthen resilience against the growing impacts of climate change while empowering local institutions to directly access global climate funding.
The Prime Minister made the call on Monday when he received a courtesy visit from Ms. Marie Tajima, Climate Investment Associate Principal for the Africa Region at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), as part of the Fund’s Country Engagement and Programming Mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The high-level engagement centred on strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Government of Eswatini and the Green Climate Fund, while exploring opportunities to mobilise additional climate finance to support the country’s national climate adaptation, environmental protection and sustainable development priorities.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the increasing effects of climate change on Eswatini, noting that the country continues to experience challenges linked to changing weather patterns, prolonged dry spells, floods in some areas and other climate-related risks that threaten livelihoods, agriculture, water security and economic growth.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires strong partnerships and sustained investment, saying climate resilience had become an essential component of Eswatini’s long-term development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Green Climate Fund for its continued support and collaboration with Eswatini. He acknowledged the Fund’s contribution towards helping developing countries strengthen their resilience to climate change while pursuing sustainable economic growth.
He further appealed for increased investment from the Green Climate Fund, saying additional financial support would enable Eswatini to implement transformative climate projects that protect vulnerable communities, safeguard natural resources and promote sustainable development.
The Prime Minister also emphasised that while international financing remains critical, building local institutional capacity is equally important to ensure the country can independently access climate resources and implement projects efficiently.
He highlighted the potential for key national institutions, including Eswatini Bank and the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), to pursue accreditation with the Green Climate Fund. Such accreditation would allow eligible local institutions to access climate finance directly, reducing reliance on external intermediaries while accelerating the implementation of nationally driven climate programmes.
According to the Prime Minister, strengthening the capacity of domestic institutions would enhance Eswatini’s ability to mobilise funding for projects that address climate adaptation, environmental conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and other initiatives that improve the livelihoods of emaSwati.
He noted that empowering national institutions would also ensure that climate investments are aligned with the country’s priorities and deliver lasting benefits to communities across the Kingdom.
The visit by the Green Climate Fund delegation forms part of broader efforts to deepen cooperation between Eswatini and international development partners committed to supporting climate action across Africa.
For her part, Ms. Tajima’s mission seeks to strengthen engagement with the Government of Eswatini and identify opportunities to expand climate investment programming in line with the country’s development objectives.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation, improving access to climate finance and ensuring that Eswatini is well-positioned to respond effectively to climate-related challenges while advancing sustainable economic development.
The engagement concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening partnerships that will help unlock greater climate financing opportunities and equip national institutions to play a leading role in driving Eswatini’s climate resilience and sustainable development agenda.
As climate change continues to pose increasing challenges globally, the Government views stronger international partnerships and improved access to climate finance as essential to protecting communities, supporting economic growth and building a more resilient future for the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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