Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty the King has expressed appreciation for American investors endorsing Eswatini as an ideal investment destination.
This too place yesterday during a business seminarhosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Facilitated by the Eswatini Investment promotion Authority (EIPA), the seminar featured testimonials from US companies, highlighting Eswatini’s stable environment and high-return potential. His Majesty praised the commitments as a vote of confidence in the Kingdom’s vision for economic growth.
The Vice President for Global Public Policy, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Impact at The Coca-Cola Company, Michael Goltzman, delivered a strong endorsement. “It is a pleasure to be here on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company and our system, including 30 authorised franchise bottlers across Africa,” he said.
“Founded in the US, we have grown globally, producing and distributing locally. We have been in Africa since 1928 and in Eswatini for four decades. In 2024, our system contributed over US$10 billion in added value to African economies, supporting more than one million jobs through local sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution,” he said.
He noted Coca-Cola’s state-of-the-art facility in Eswatini, which manufactures and exports concentrates to over 24 African countries, employing more than 200 locals. “Eswatini offers efficient logistics, infrastructure, and ease of capital movement. Eswatini’s growth represents our growth, and we are thankful for the government’s support. We encourage others to explore these opportunities ” he urged.
Several US firms announced investment intentions, underscoring Eswatini’s appeal.
A representative from Powerlink International said: “We will bring micro-hydro units to Eswatini’s canal systems, which are among the most pristine assessed globally. Eswatini is our preferred place for micro-hydro and wave energy solutions.”
A member of Sun Africa added: “As the largest solar energy company operating abroad, we are working with the Minister of Electricity on comprehensive renewable energy projects to support energy and water sustainability, security and growth.”
A representative from GTI Energy, stated: “We are pleased to bring specialised technology converting waste into valuable products like power, fuels, chemicals, and ammonia, offering these to Eswatini.”
Wilson from Barr Global said: “As an advisory firm, we secure capital to ensure projects work economically and financially. We are honoured to participate and look forward to collective success.”
Alan Kessler, CEO of African Food Security, said: “We are an agricultural trading, processing, and farming company. We look forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, the African Development Bank and the US Government to drive primary agriculture, introducing Michigan State University for smallholder farmer support and advancing cotton, barley, and sugar derivatives. Eswatini’s stability under the monarchy makes it our focus in Africa.”
Yad Amad, President of Avalon Energy Group, presented: “We have 30 years’ experience building eco-industrial parks. Our US$418 million project, developed with EIPA and others, will produce sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel from non-edible crops, integrated with agriculture. This will reverse oil import dependency, supplying regional needs and powering the airport fully from local fuels, impacting GDP by 3.9%.”
In his address, His Majesty expressed appreciation at the endorsements. “Our trade with the US, shaped by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until September 30, 2025, benefits from a 10 per cent tax tariff from the US, making Eswatini prime for accessing US and African markets.”
He outlined Eswatini’s offerings as a business-friendly environment with progressive policies, streamlined regulations, and robust property rights. “We have launched a one-stop shop, reformed immigration for residency-by-investment, extended border hours to 24/7, established a commercial court, updated the Companies Act and digitised registration,” he shared.
He described the country as having top regional infratsructure road networks, efficient ports access, a local airline, nationwide internet, reliable water and electricity. “We invite US companies to establish an American industrial park with allocated land and expedited approvals,” he said.
“We thank Coca-Cola for their decades-long experience and welcome new commitments. Our team is ready for discussions. Invest in Eswatini—you will not be disappointed. Our New York mission is available for follow-ups,” he concluded.
Minister Savannah Maziya says investors won’t regret.
Minister for Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah Maziya, turned on the charm to woo US investors to the kingdom. Given a brief moment by Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo, Maziya described the country as 1.2 million strong, land-linked with access to 100 million people in SADC, 150 million in COMESA, and a billion in Africa, which is set to be 25 per cent of the world’s 10 billion people in 20 years.
“We must position as Africa’s gateway, not a secret. In ICT, we installed nationwide microwave connectivity last year and are expanding fibre optics with World Bank help to attract data centres and manufacturing,” she said.
She emphasised cost-effective data, green power abundance, and partnerships like Starlink and SpaceX discussions as some of the country’s best offerings. “The Royal Science and Technology Park is our engine for robotics, biotechnology, and large language models,” she shared, adding that investors seek reliable utilities, talent, friendly legislation, peace, and consistent leadership, all of which are present under His Majesty’s vision.
Cabinet Ministers’ Presentations
Ernest Mkhonta, CEO of the Eswatini Electricity Company, also had an opportunity to outline energy opportunities: “We import 70% of electricity, generating only 30% locally (60 MW hydro, 10 MW solar). We need 250 MW; opportunities in geothermal, coal, mini-hydros (10 MW), Maguga Expansion (30 MW), and a new dam (120 MW), requiring US$130 million,” he explained.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, highlighted agri-opportunities: “We upscale food production for security and exports, focusing on wheat and soybeans. Investors can engage in processing, cold storage at the airport, mechanisation, irrigation, and finance. A major dam project is underway to integrate agriculture, energy, and tourism,” he said. The CEO of EIPA, Sibani Mngomezulu, went into detail regarding the opportunities available in the kingdom.
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