From climate talks to coffee cultivation and TVET, Prime Minister aims to replicate Ethiopia’s successes to drive youth empowerment and economic growth at home.
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE– Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini embarked on a landmark visit to Ethiopia last week, combining participation in the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), the official opening of the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), and a detailed tour of the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector and coffee-producing regions.
The trip, which left from King Mswati III International Airport on Sunday, 7 September 2025, showcased Eswatini’s commitment to learning from regional successes and building strategic partnerships.
Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, and Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, the Prime Minister first joined the ACS2 in Addis Ababa. The summit, which ran from 8–10 September, brought together over 40 Heads of State and Government alongside 25 000 delegates to discuss Africa-led climate solutions and financing mechanisms.
Addressing the summit, Dlamini emphasised Eswatini’s readiness to contribute to continental efforts for green growth. He commended the African Union’s call for climate finance justice, noting the urgent need for grants rather than loans to support climate adaptation and sustainable development in African nations disproportionately affected by climate change.
Following the summit’s initial sessions, the Prime Minister attended the official opening of the GERD on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. Constructed along the Blue Nile without external funding, the US$5 billion dam represents a monumental achievement in Africa’s infrastructure development. Dlamini lauded Ethiopia for mobilising domestic resources, including government bonds and mobile money contributions, to build the 50-metre-deep, 200-metre-long dam. He also praised the initiative’s potential to produce 5 megawatts of hydroelectric power and underlined the importance of regional dialogue, noting that Ethiopia’s negotiation with Egypt and Sudan over Nile water use serves as a model for constructive diplomacy.
On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Prime Minister shifted focus to education, touring Ethiopia’s TVET system. The visit aimed to explore collaboration opportunities to strengthen Eswatini’s own vocational training framework. Ethiopia’s TVET system has long been hailed for combining practical skills with industry-linked curricula, producing graduates well-prepared for both entrepreneurship and employment. In comparison, Eswatini has been working to modernise its TVET sector, with a focus on youth empowerment and aligning training with market demands. Prime Minister Dlamini emphasised that adopting best practices from Ethiopia could help Eswatini bridge existing skills gaps and accelerate national development.
The delegation then visited Jimma District in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, renowned as the cradle of coffee. Prime Minister Dlamini, accompanied by Minister Buthelezi, observed how coffee cultivation sustains livelihoods through agroforestry and integrated farming, particularly for young people. “We witnessed firsthand how coffee growing can support communities economically and environmentally,” he noted. Dlamini also indulged in six cups of Ethiopia’s finest, declaring that Eswatini should take coffee cultivation to the next level as a potential driver of the nation’s economy.
Analysts say that introducing a robust coffee sector could diversify Eswatini’s agriculture, create employment opportunities, and position the Kingdom in global specialty coffee markets. The Prime Minister’s visit signals an intention to replicate elements of Ethiopia’s success in both TVET and agro-industrial initiatives.
Throughout the trip, Prime Minister Dlamini underscored the importance of learning from Ethiopia’s experiences to foster economic growth, strengthen technical skills among youth, and develop sustainable industries. He highlighted that these efforts align with Eswatini’s broader goals of industrialisation, youth empowerment, and climate-conscious development.
The multi-faceted visit demonstrates Eswatini’s proactive approach to regional collaboration, combining climate action, infrastructure appreciation, skills development, and economic diversification in a single diplomatic and learning mission. The Prime Minister and his delegation are expected to return home with actionable strategies that could significantly impact Eswatini’s socio-economic landscape in the coming years.
Pull-quotes:
- “Africa’s climate finance must be fair and equitable. Grants, not loans, will enable adaptation and green growth.” – PM
- “This demonstrates what African countries can achieve with vision and determination.” – PM on GERD
- “It is time we take coffee cultivation to the next level in Eswatini; it has the potential to transform our economy.” – PM
(Courtesy Pic)
