BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOZITHA – His Majesty King Mswati III has called on Eswatini and Zambia to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen trade relations and identify new areas of collaboration to unlock growth opportunities for both countries.
Speaking during the presentation of Letters of Credence by Zambia’s High Commissioner-designate to Eswatini, Ambassador Derick Livune, at Lozitha Palace on June 18, 2026, the King said the two countries shared strong bilateral relations and should build on that foundation to advance mutual development.
His Majesty welcomed the envoy and expressed confidence that his appointment would further strengthen cooperation, friendship and support between Eswatini and Zambia as members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and other international organisations.
“We have a lot in common and there is much that we can do together in supporting one another economically, socially and in many other areas,” said the King.
The King said Eswatini could benefit from Zambia’s experience in sectors such as mining, forestry and manufacturing, which have played a significant role in driving the country’s economy. He added that both countries should explore opportunities for exchanging knowledge, skills and expertise in these sectors.
His Majesty also highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges, information sharing within the security cluster and strengthening trade between the two nations. He recalled visiting Zambia and attending a trade fair where he witnessed the wide range of products and services offered by Zambian businesses.
He said there was enormous potential to expand trade between Eswatini and Zambia and urged both countries to fully utilise opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The King noted that African countries must work together and trade more effectively among themselves in order to accelerate economic growth and reduce barriers to development across the continent.
His Majesty further encouraged the new High Commissioner to engage with stakeholders in Eswatini and identify areas where the two countries could cooperate more effectively for the benefit of their people.
For his part, Ambassador Livune conveyed warm greetings from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Eswatini.
The envoy said Zambia and Eswatini enjoyed cordial relations and expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would be elevated to higher levels in areas such as trade and investment, defence and security, forestry, culture, tourism and economic development.
Ambassador Livune said Zambia’s economy continued to be driven largely by the mining sector, particularly copper production, but noted that the country was actively pursuing economic diversification through agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development.
He also called for greater implementation of existing agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries, saying stronger collaboration would create jobs, promote investment and yield mutually beneficial outcomes.
The High Commissioner further urged both nations to explore additional areas of cooperation that could contribute to the prosperity and well-being of their citizens.
His Majesty assured the envoy of Eswatini’s full support during his tour of duty and wished him success in strengthening relations between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Zambia.
