- EU acknowledges leadership role of His Majesty King Mswati III as the OACPS Champion for Resource Mobilisation
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini and the European Union have explored opportunities to collaborate on rail infrastructure development as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration, boost trade and accelerate economic growth.
This emerged during a courtesy call between Eswatini’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, Ambassador Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu, and Head of Division for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Carolina Cordeiro, at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Eswatini in Brussels on July 2, 2026.
The discussions focused on deepening the longstanding partnership between Eswatini and the European Union, with particular emphasis placed on opportunities under the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy. Rail infrastructure development featured prominently, with both parties recognising the transformative role modern and efficient transport corridors can play in enhancing Eswatini’s connectivity with regional and international markets.
The meeting highlighted rail infrastructure as a key catalyst for regional integration, trade facilitation and sustainable economic development, positioning Eswatini to benefit from improved transport networks that support investment and economic competitiveness.
Ambassador Mngomezulu and Cordeiro also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with Eswatini’s national development priorities. Areas identified for enhanced collaboration include trade, investment, digital transformation, sustainable development and regional cooperation.
The courtesy call followed Cordeiro’s recent visit to Eswatini alongside the EEAS Managing Director for Africa, Patricia Llombart Cussac, and the European Union Ambassador to Eswatini, H.E. Karsten Mecklenburg.
The two sides further exchanged views on the ongoing restructuring of the European Union Delegation in Eswatini, including plans to downscale the mission and transfer its operations to Pretoria, South Africa. Despite the administrative changes, both parties emphasised the importance of maintaining strong engagement and effective cooperation between Eswatini and the European Union.
Regional and multilateral issues also formed part of the discussions, with the European Union acknowledging the leadership role of His Majesty King Mswati III as the OACPS Champion for Resource Mobilisation.
Progress towards the ratification of the SAMOA Agreement, which establishes a new framework for cooperation between the European Union and member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), was also discussed.
The meeting further reflected on Eswatini’s successful hosting of two major international parliamentary gatherings in Ezulwini earlier this year – the OACPS Africa Regional Parliamentary Assembly and the inaugural Africa-European Union Parliamentary Assembly – which underscored the country’s growing stature as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Africa and Europe.
The discussions concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing the strategic partnership between Eswatini and the European Union in support of sustainable economic growth, inclusive development and shared prosperity.
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