BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening regional water security and sustainable development as Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, HRH Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini, joins his counterparts from South Africa and Mozambique at the inaugural Council of Ministers Meeting of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) in Boksburg, South Africa.
The landmark meeting, scheduled for Friday, 5 June 2026, marks a significant milestone in regional cooperation and reflects the growing commitment by Southern African nations to work together in managing shared water resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Hosted by South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, the high-level gathering will bring together ministers responsible for water affairs from Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique for the first-ever Council of Ministers Meeting under the INMACOM framework.
For Eswatini, participation in the historic summit underscores the country’s commitment to regional integration and collaborative approaches to addressing water-related challenges. The Incomati and Maputo river basins are crucial sources of water that support agriculture, industry, environmental conservation and the livelihoods of communities throughout the region.
According to the commission, the inaugural meeting will establish a strong foundation for coordinated action, shared responsibility and long-term resilience in managing these important river systems. The discussions are expected to focus on ensuring that water resources continue to contribute to economic growth, environmental sustainability and social development across Southern Africa.
The meeting also represents the culmination of decades of cooperation among the three countries. It builds on the work of the Tripartite Permanent Technical Committee, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of INMACOM in 2021.
Regional leaders are expected to deliberate on a number of strategic priorities aimed at enhancing water governance. These include water availability, infrastructure development, data and information sharing, and environmental sustainability.
The inaugural Council of Ministers Meeting is also expected to consolidate institutional arrangements and advance coordinated approaches to the equitable and sustainable management of shared watercourses.
INMACOM serves as a transboundary river basin organisation established by Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique to promote cooperation in the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of shared water resources.
As Eswatini continues to strengthen its participation in regional development initiatives, the country’s involvement in the inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting demonstrates its commitment to promoting sustainable resource management, regional cooperation and shared prosperity across Southern Africa.
