PRESS RELEASE
LOBAMBA – His Majesty King Mswati III has officially opened the Third Session of the 12th Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini, marking a historic milestone as the nation celebrates 40 years of His Majesty’s reign and four decades of transformation, resilience and national unity .
Addressing Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners and the nation at large, His Majesty reflected on the Kingdom’s profound social and economic progress since 1986. Over the past four decades, Eswatini’s GDP has grown from approximately E1.4 billion to E95.2 billion, life expectancy has improved from 32 to 65 years, and infrastructure development has expanded significantly, including highways, dams and an international airport .
A Year of Agape Love and National Unity
Declaring 2026 a Year of “Agape Love,” His Majesty called upon Emaswati to demonstrate unconditional love, integrity, patriotism and service to national interests above self-interest . The declaration sets a moral and developmental tone for the year, urging unity and collective responsibility as the country advances towards its First World Vision aspirations.
Economic Diversification and Revenue Mobilisation
While acknowledging the positive contribution of SACU revenues, His Majesty emphasised the urgent need to restructure and diversify the economy to build long-term resilience . The King challenged the nation to deliberately grow at least ten companies with annual turnovers exceeding E10 billion across various sectors to stimulate growth, employment and reinvestment within the local economy.
Major national projects were highlighted as key drivers of growth and confidence. The International Convention Centre, to be commissioned during the upcoming celebrations, is expected to generate substantial tourism revenue. The proposed E6 billion industrial park aims to attract investment and drive job creation, while construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve has commenced and is scheduled for completion by 2028 to enhance fuel security and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions . Government will also continue the nationwide factory shell construction programme to attract foreign direct investment and expand youth employment opportunities .
Eswatini’s ranking as the 10th best country in Africa for business readiness in the World Bank B-READY 2025 Report was welcomed as a reflection of growing investor confidence and ongoing reforms, including the establishment of the Business One-Stop Shop .
Infrastructure, Energy and Digital Transformation
Government has set a target of paving 500 kilometres of road by 2028, alongside upgrading key corridors and restoring infrastructure damaged by heavy rains .
His Majesty further underscored the importance of energy security, encouraging increased energy independence with a goal of generating 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources such as solar and biomass by 2030 .
In line with the 40-year milestone, the King declared that Eswatini must transition completely “from analogue to digital,” accelerating digital infrastructure, reliable connectivity and the modernisation of systems including digital passports to enhance efficiency and reduce vulnerabilities .
Agriculture, Climate Resilience and Food Security
Agriculture remains central to national development. His Majesty reaffirmed government support for subsistence farmers through subsidies to enhance food security, while expanding climate resilience programmes to assist communities vulnerable to droughts and floods .
Addressing the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, the King called for intensified education, stronger preventative measures and diversified vaccine procurement to eliminate the disease and prevent recurrence .
Health, Youth and Social Development
His Majesty addressed concerns over drug shortages in health facilities and directed that such shortages must come to an end, calling for sustainable long-term sourcing and supply chain solutions .
Progress in combating HIV/AIDS was commended, including Eswatini’s participation in the Lenacapavir (PrEP) injection programme, positioning the Kingdom at the forefront of HIV prevention innovation in Africa .
The Youth Fund, Regional Development Fund and National Housing Initiative were highlighted as key instruments to stimulate entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and strengthen grassroots economic participation . In education, ongoing curriculum reforms aim to align learning outcomes with national development goals and global trends, with emphasis placed on teacher training and technology integration .
Regional Leadership and International Cooperation
Eswatini will assume the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (Troika), reaffirming its commitment to regional peace, stability and cooperation .
Strengthening Transparency and Parliamentary Oversight
In a significant step towards transparency and public participation, His Majesty announced that parliamentary debates will now be broadcast live, strengthening accountability and enabling citizens to follow proceedings in real time .
His Majesty formally declared the Third Session of the 12th Parliament open and officially opened the Parliamentary TV Studios .
As the Kingdom commemorates four decades of leadership under His Majesty King Mswati III, the address reaffirmed a national vision grounded in unity, resilience, economic transformation and enduring peace.
