Mbabane – Veteran diplomat Vulindlela Kunene has formally begun his new assignment as the Kingdom of Eswatini’s Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), presenting copies of his Letters of Credence to Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lin Chia-lung.
He presented the official documents during a meeting with Lin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei, marking the beginning of his diplomatic mission at a time when relations between the two countries are expanding into investment, industry, energy, agriculture, healthcare and technology.
According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Communications Officer Sikhumbuzo Bhembe, Kunene is yet to deliver his speech when he meets Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
The meeting with Lai will provide the new ambassador with an opportunity to formally present his credentials to the Taiwanese President and set out his priorities for the mission.
Eswatini and Taiwan relationship has remained intact for more than five decades, with Eswatini currently the only African country maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has described the two countries as long-standing cooperation partners, with collaboration covering areas including agriculture, energy, healthcare, education and industry.
The relationship has also developed an increasingly significant economic dimension. In July 2025, Former Taiwan Ambassador to Eswatini Jeremy Liang said 21 Taiwanese companies operating in the country had invested more than US$100 million, approximately E1.85 billion at the time, and created about 13 000 jobs. The companies operate in sectors including textiles and garments, carton manufacturing and plastics.
One of the major projects now shaping the partnership is the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP), alongside the strategic oil reserve project. During a visit to Eswatini in April this year, Lin said about 60 Taiwanese companies had visited the country to explore investment opportunities since the launch of the industrial park, while several firms in textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals and solar power had signed letters of intent to establish operations there.
Taiwan has also provided development assistance to Eswatini over the years, supporting areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture and rural development. Following the civil unrest in 2021, Taiwan announced US$22.9 million in assistance for the reconstruction of damaged schools, hospitals and other infrastructure, according to records cited in reporting on the bilateral relationship.
The partnership has recently entered another phase following President Lai’s state visit to Eswatini in May 2026. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the visit was facilitated by the longstanding relationship between the two countries and highlighted cooperation in areas including energy, industry and development.
The TIIP and strategic oil reserve are among the flagship projects arising from this cooperation. Taiwan said in April that construction of the strategic oil reserve facility was progressing according to schedule, while Taiwanese businesses were being encouraged to invest in the industrial park.
Kunene assumes the ambassadorial position after serving as Under Secretary for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2022 to 2026. He previously served as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Eswatini High Commission in Pretoria and spent several years at the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
His diplomatic career began in the civil service in 2009, when he joined as an Assistant Socio-Political Analyst. He also previously served as Private Secretary to former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator Mabili Dlamini.
As he takes charge of the mission in Taipei, Kunene inherits a relationship that combines decades of diplomatic ties with expanding commercial and development cooperation, while his forthcoming meeting with President Lai is expected to formally mark the next stage of his assignment.
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