TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Taiwan’s National Day celebrations placed the Kingdom of Eswatini in clear diplomatic focus on Saturday, as President Lai Ching-te used his address to recognise the Kingdom’s long-standing support and welcome the presence of King Mswati III and Liphovela LaZuma.
His Majesty the King led a senior Eswatini delegation to the Republic of China National Day event, commonly known as Double Ten, in Taipei. The delegation included Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu, Minister Manqoba Khumalo, Minister Prince Simelane, Princess Sidvumolesihle, Prince Wandile, Chief Officer Mgwagwa Gamedze, the King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane and Eswatini’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Vulindlela Kunene.
The King’s presence gave public weight to a relationship that has endured for 58 years. Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, a position that gives the kingdom special importance as Taipei works to protect its international space and strengthen ties among friendly nations.
In his National Day speech, President Lai thanked King Mswati III for the welcome he received during his state visit to Eswatini earlier this year. He also expressed appreciation to Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and the people of Eswatini, noting that the visit had highlighted the depth of bilateral cooperation.
Lai cited ongoing partnerships in energy, agriculture, healthcare, women’s empowerment, education and culture. Although brief, his comments integrated Eswatini into the core message of his speech, which focused on Taiwan’s resilience, democracy, economic strength and international partnerships.
The visit also followed a formal welcome ceremony in Taipei, where both nations reaffirmed their ties. Taiwanese officials noted that this trip marked the King’s 20th visit to Taiwan, which is a milestone reflecting the personal and official depth of the relationship.
Beyond the ceremony, both governments emphasised practical cooperation. Recent engagements have covered law enforcement, business investment and industrial development, including Eswatini’s support for a proposed Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park designed to attract Taiwanese companies and serve as a gateway to African markets.
KING COURTS MORE TAIWANESE INVESTORS
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — His Majesty the King continued his invitation for increased Taiwanese investment in Eswatini during a dinner hosted by Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung at the Grand Hyatt Taipei on Friday evening.
The dinner was attended by Taiwanese government officials, business leaders and an Eswatini delegation including Cabinet Ministers Pholile Shakantu and Manqoba Khumalo, Ambassador Vulindlela Kunene, Chief Officer Mgwagwa Gamedze, Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane and other officials.
Earlier in the day, during bilateral cooperation talks with President Lai Ching-te, the King advocated for expanded commercial ventures, specifically leveraging the E6 billion Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP) project announced last year.
The discussions focused on converting long-standing diplomatic ties into concrete projects capable of creating jobs, transferring skills and broadening Eswatini’s industrial base.
Foreign Minister Lin welcomed the King and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to the partnership, noting that Taiwanese officials had taken note of the proposals and expected work to begin once standard procedures were completed.
Lin then invited business representatives to share their plans. Executives from the energy, pharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, and advanced textiles sectors expressed interest in establishing operations within the TIIP.
The industrial park aims to provide Taiwanese manufacturers and service providers with a base in Africa, while bringing new factories, employment and technical training to Eswatini. The initial phase is planned for Phocweni—covering approximately 158 hectares adjacent to the Royal Science and Technology Park—with a secondary site designated at Sidvokodvo.
His Majesty thanked Taiwan’s government and business community for their continued confidence, citing completed and ongoing projects as evidence of practical results. He urged executives to make firm commitments, stating that securing an initial group of at least 30 companies would build momentum and demonstrate Eswatini’s readiness for larger industrial ventures.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that around 60 Taiwanese companies have conducted feasibility visits to Eswatini since the initiative launched, with ten firms in textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals and solar power signing letters of intent.
During Friday’s dinner, Eswatini ministers and officials answered questions from executives regarding the local investment climate, infrastructure, and government support. The delegation assured prospective investors that the government would actively assist in resolving operational hurdles.
Both sides indicated that the next key step will be concluding the formal government-to-government agreement to govern the park’s development, with officials currently finalizing the text while several investors prepare for site visits to Eswatini.
Discussion about this post