By Delisa Magagula
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will conduct a comprehensive review of Eswatini’s energy policies as part of a new collaboration to accelerate the country’s transition to solar power.
The assessment conducted during the 8th Session of the ISA Assembly in New Delhi, India, last week marks the first step toward developing a national Solar Energy Roadmap to guide the systematic rollout of solar technologies across all sectors of the economy.
Minister for Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela, who led the Eswatini delegation, confirmed that the ISA had pledged firm support to provide both technical assistance and expert analysis to help shape the country’s renewable energy future.
According to the ministry, the audit will examine existing policies, institutional frameworks, and regulatory mechanisms governing energy generation and distribution in Eswatini.
The findings are expected to form the foundation of the upcoming roadmap a detailed blueprint that will outline short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for integrating solar energy into the national grid.
“The ISA’s technical team will evaluate where we currently stand and help us determine what practical steps are needed to strengthen our energy systems.
This process will ensure that our policies are not only aligned with global best practices but are also realistic and implementable within our national context,” said the Minister.
Noteworthy, the International Solar Alliance an intergovernmental organisation jointly launched by India and France to promote solar energy adoption among member states brings together over 120 countries.
It supports capacity building, investment mobilisation, and technology transfer for nations seeking to scale up renewable energy use.
For Eswatini, this collaboration comes at a time when the country is under growing pressure to diversify its energy mix, reduce reliance on imported electricity, and stabilise supply for both households and industries.
Worth mentioning is that the country currently imports the majority of its electricity from South Africa’s Eskom and Mozambique’s EDM, leaving it vulnerable to regional price fluctuations and load-shedding.
Through the ISA-backed assessment, Eswatini aims to identify gaps that have slowed down renewable energy adoption and address regulatory barriers that limit private sector participation in the energy market.
According to the Minister, the roadmap will then set measurable targets for solar deployment, policy implementation, and investment mobilisation.
Officials say the document will go beyond setting energy generation goals. It will also include strategies for research and innovation, the introduction of new solar technologies, and ways to make solar energy accessible to rural and low-income communities.
Among the key areas expected to feature prominently are photovoltaic (PV) systems for electricity generation, solar heating and cooling, concentrating solar power (CSP), and even solar-based cooking and transport solutions.
Ashish Khanna meeting HRH Prince Lonkhokhela
The roadmap is also expected to explore potential partnerships for establishing local manufacturing or assembly of solar components to reduce costs and create jobs.
Prince Lonkhokhela described the upcoming roadmap as a transformational plan that will reshape how Eswatini produces and consumes energy.
“Solar energy is no longer an option it is an imperative with our abundant sunlight, we have an opportunity to build a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable energy future for our people,” he said.
During his visit to India, the minister also met with the ISA President, Pralhad Joshi, who serves as India’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy.
Their discussions centred on key areas of cooperation, including investment mobilisation, capacity building, and the development of solar infrastructure.
Joshi expressed strong support for Eswatini’s renewable energy ambitions, pledging the Alliance’s full assistance in helping the country design and implement its roadmap.
“Eswatini has vast potential to harness solar power. The ISA stands ready to provide all necessary technical support to ensure that the kingdom achieves its energy goals,” he said.
Energy experts note that such international partnerships are crucial for small economies that lack the technical expertise and capital required to implement large-scale renewable projects.
By joining hands with the ISA, Eswatini gains access to a global network of solar research institutions, investors, and policy advisors.
The ministry emphasised that the audit will not merely be a technical exercise but will also take into account social and economic realities.
The process will focus on ensuring that the energy transition remains inclusive, affordable, and aligned with the country’s broader development agenda.
“This is about building resilience. We are looking at how to ensure that as we move towards solar, no community is left behind especially in rural areas where access to electricity remains limited,” he said.
Currently, Eswatini’s renewable energy projects are largely at pilot or early development stages, including a few solar mini-grids and independent power producer (IPP) projects.
The forthcoming roadmap is expected to consolidate these efforts into a unified national vision, setting clear priorities for expansion and investment.
The ISA has already supported several African countries in drafting similar frameworks, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana, where the introduction of structured solar policies has led to rapid increases in renewable energy capacity.
For Eswatini, officials believe the roadmap will help attract both domestic and foreign investors to the solar sector by offering policy clarity and demonstrating a long-term commitment to clean energy.
Once the ISA completes its audit and the roadmap is finalised, implementation will be rolled out in phases starting with expanding solar home systems in rural communities and gradually scaling up to larger commercial and industrial projects.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could not only cut Eswatini’s dependency on imported electricity but also position the kingdom as a regional example of how small nations can leverage global partnerships to achieve energy security and sustainability.
