Matsapha – The Government of Japan has committed about E12 million (US$693 000) towards a project that will modernise operations at King Mswati III International Airport through green energy and digital technologies aimed at reducing costs and improving cargo efficiency.
The grant, announced during a signing ceremony on Tuesday at Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) Offices will finance the Japan-Eswatini Green and Digital Transformation Demonstration Project, which will be implemented by ESWACAA in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The project will introduce solar energy systems, smart cargo technologies and digital solutions to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the airport’s role in facilitating trade.UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin said the investment was intended to help position the airport for future growth while supporting Eswatini’s broader economic development agenda.
He said the demonstration project would test renewable energy and digital logistics solutions that could later be expanded through additional investment.
Franklin said the grant represented more than financial assistance, describing it as a strategic investment in innovation, clean energy, trade facilitation and the future competitiveness of Eswatini’s aviation and logistics sector.
He said reliable and affordable energy was critical for industrialisation, attracting investment, supporting businesses and creating jobs, adding that the airport had the potential to contribute more significantly to trade, tourism and logistics.
Franklin also highlighted that the project would position King Mswati III International Airport as a demonstration site for Japanese green and digital technologies in aviation and logistics, creating opportunities for exporters, logistics operators, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and future investment partnerships.
The Airport Director Fiksile Dlamini said the project stemmed from the authority’s environmental sustainability strategy, which seeks to transform King Mswati III International Airport into a green airport while lowering operational costs.
She said the strategy identified green infrastructure and efficient energy management as key priorities before ESWACAA approached UNDP for support.
Dlamini said discussions with UNDP resulted in the project being broadened to include initiatives that would also strengthen international trade by improving the airport’s air cargo capabilities.
“Our intention is to come up with green infrastructure at the airport and also see how we can properly manage energy to be as efficient as possible in a bid to reduce our operational costs,” she said.
She added that combining sustainability with improved cargo handling addressed two of the airport’s strategic objectives as it seeks to position itself as one of the region’s key aviation hubs.
Notably, the project aligns with Japan’s TICAD 9 commitments on sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation and regional connectivity while supporting Eswatini’s efforts to build a more competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation sector.
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