BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – Eswatini has begun charting the next chapter of its national development as government, researchers and development partners unite to prepare for a landmark Population Summit that will help shape the country’s future for generations.
The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, through the National Population Unit (NPU), today convened the National Population and Development Experts Committee Preparatory Meeting, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the Eswatini Population Summit 2026.
Far more than a planning meeting, the gathering signalled Eswatini’s commitment to building a future driven by knowledge, innovation and evidence-based decision-making. Representatives from government institutions, academia, development partners and other key stakeholders came together to lay the foundation for a summit expected to influence national policy and sustainable development for years to come.
Held under the theme, “Eswatini’s 40 Year Demographic Transition and Emerging Issues for Sustainable Development,” the Summit, scheduled for October 2026, will reflect on the country’s demographic journey from 1986 to 2026 while exploring opportunities and challenges that will shape the nation’s next phase of growth.
The Experts Committee discussed the framework for the forthcoming Call for Research Papers, which will invite emaSwati scholars, researchers and professionals pursuing or holding a Master’s degree and above to submit research offering practical solutions to national development priorities.
The research will cover a wide range of issues affecting the country’s future, including youth employment, migration, education, healthcare, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate change, artificial intelligence, data governance, urbanisation, social protection, agriculture and energy.
By encouraging locally generated research, the Ministry is strengthening evidence based policymaking, ensuring that future national strategies are informed by reliable data, innovation and the lived realities of emaSwati.
The Summit is also expected to strengthen partnerships between government, universities, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners, creating a united platform where ideas can be transformed into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
Beyond the discussions, the event will leave a lasting legacy through conference proceedings, policy briefs and academic publications that will serve as a valuable national knowledge repository for future planning and decision making.
The Eswatini Population Summit 2026 will feature keynote addresses, research presentations, panel discussions, policy roundtables, poster exhibitions and an awards ceremony recognising outstanding research contributions.
As preparations continue, the Summit reflects Eswatini’s determination to invest in its greatest asset its people. By bringing together the country’s brightest minds to examine four decades of demographic change, the initiative is laying the foundation for informed decisions that can unlock opportunity, strengthen communities and support the Kingdom’s long term vision for inclusive and sustainable development.
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