BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – The Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park (TIIP) is emerging as a central pillar of Eswatini’s industrial transformation agenda, with the project now described as “gathering pace” following renewed high-level engagements between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Progress on the flagship initiative was highlighted during the Taiwan–Eswatini Business Seminar held on April 22 at the Mountain View Hotel, where government officials and Taiwanese investors reviewed developments linked to the park.
The Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park is a joint economic project valued at approximately E6 billion and is designed to replicate Taiwan’s successful industrial model, positioning Eswatini as a regional hub for manufacturing and technology-driven production. The park is situated on 158 hectares of land in Phocweni, near the Royal Science and Technology Park and the Matsapha industrial zone.
Officials say the project is expected to generate around 10 000 jobs while driving industrialisation through innovation, skills transfer, and export-oriented manufacturing. It is currently advancing through technical planning and infrastructure preparation stages, with construction-related engagements ongoing.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Principal Secretary Ambassador Melusi Masuku said growing investor interest reflects confidence in the initiative.
“We have witnessed a growing interest by Taiwanese companies to invest in Eswatini ever since the two countries launched the Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park (TIIP),” Masuku said. “The park is a critical milestone aimed at benefitting both our countries. This is the fourth mission we have received since the park was announced.”
He added that the project has moved beyond conceptual discussions into technical implementation.
“We have already had various interactions, including a visit to the site with key technical teams from CECI that visited Eswatini for meetings with our teams on the ground. We believe that so far there is good interest from both sides,” he said.
Masuku noted that the TIIP is strengthening long-standing diplomatic relations between Eswatini and Taiwan, which continue to expand into new areas of cooperation.
“Such developments are a seasoning to our relationship that has grown from strength to strength over the years,” he said.
He further emphasized that government is prioritizing diversification into advanced industries.
“We have clearly indicated our desire to see diversification of Taiwan companies into new non-traditional sectors, which will be made possible by the TIIP,” he said.
The project is expected to host key industries including technology and manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as green energy solutions. These sectors are viewed as critical to building a modern, competitive and resilient economy.
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Eswatini also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the project, noting that cooperation is now entering a more implementation-focused phase supported by both governments and the private sector.
As technical assessments, infrastructure planning, and investor engagements continue, the TIIP is increasingly being viewed as a transformative industrial platform capable of reshaping Eswatini’s economic landscape through job creation, innovation, and export-led growth.
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