Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has called on Government to urgently work with the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to address rising electricity costs and secure the country’s energy future.
Delivering the 2026 Speech from the Throne, the King underscored the central role of energy in national development, declaring: “Reliable, affordable energy is essential for our economic transformation.”
Acknowledging the pressure caused by imported power, His Majesty reaffirmed Government’s responsibility to shield emaSwati from escalating costs.
“We wish to reaffirm our commitment to the wellbeing of every Liswati amid rising electricity costs from imported power,” he said.
In a clear directive, the King urged decisive collaboration between Government and the power utility. “In this vein, Government must work with the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to find solutions to the company’s financial difficulties while we address immediate challenges from higher import prices,” he stated.
Beyond short-term remedies, His Majesty encouraged a long-term shift toward energy independence, calling for expanded investments in renewable energy. He emphasised the need to remain committed to increasing local generation, including achieving 50 percent electricity production through solar, biomass and other renewables by 2030.
The Speech from the Throne outlined a broader agenda of resilience and growth across sectors. Addressing agriculture, the King spoke candidly about the resurgence of foot and mouth disease, reminding the nation: “FMD is not new to the Kingdom and we have conquered it before.” He urged intensified awareness and vaccination efforts to prevent recurrence.
On mining and minerals, His Majesty called for bold reforms to unlock full value from natural resources. “We must ascertain the full value of our mineral resources and further explore value addition and beneficiation,” he said, stressing the importance of positioning Eswatini competitively within continental trade opportunities.
Tourism infrastructure also received attention, with the King expressing satisfaction over progress made. “We are glad that the ICC has been completed and will be commissioned during the coming celebrations on the 25th April,” he announced, highlighting its potential to generate revenue and stimulate further development.
However, it was the energy message that resonated most strongly — a decisive call for coordinated action between Government and EEC to stabilise the sector, manage rising import costs and accelerate renewable energy investment.
The address sets a confident tone for 2026: confronting challenges directly, strengthening institutions and building a self-reliant, energy-secure Eswatini.
