Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini is exploring partnerships with global aviation leaders to modernise its airport infrastructure, expand tourism access, and strengthen regional and international trade links as part of a broader drive to accelerate economic growth.
The push follows high-level bilateral engagements led by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where aviation, logistics, and strategic investment partnerships took centre stage.
On Day Two of the summit, the PM met with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. Discussions focused on aviation development and potential partnerships in tourism, logistics, and infrastructure development.
Dlamini explained that Eswatini is not seeking handouts, but long-term strategic partnerships that leverage global expertise to unlock sustainable development. He outlined plans to modernise the country’s airport infrastructure and align it with an integrated transport network linking air, rail, and road systems.
The Premier highlighted Eswatini’s inter-modal transport vision, including plans to connect the airport to railway infrastructure linking the Kingdom to Maputo, strengthen road networks to South Africa, and expand dry port facilities to improve trade efficiency.
He further stressed the importance of partnerships with airlines of Emirates’ scale in stimulating tourism growth, improving international connectivity, and opening access to key markets in East Africa and beyond.
Sheikh Ahmed shared insights from Dubai’s aviation and logistics journey, underscoring the importance of connectivity, integrated planning, and long-term investment, while expressing goodwill toward Eswatini.
In separate engagements, the Prime Minister also met with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, where discussions focused on trade partnerships in agriculture, energy, logistics, food security, and industrial development.
Food security emerged as a key area of interest, with the UAE expressing readiness to work closely with farmers through technology transfer, capacity building, and guaranteed market access.
The Prime Minister also held talks with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani to strengthen existing bilateral relations and explore areas of continued cooperation.
