AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Return: Cheetahs have been reintroduced to Eswatini for the first time in over 35 years, with four animals released into Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve as part of the Southern African Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative. Environmental Governance: EEMPA says anyone bringing an international artist to Eswatini must first get a permit, aiming to improve event safety and coordination for foreign performances. Cultural Tourism: Umhlanga Reed Dance has been ranked Africa’s 3rd most famous festival, reinforcing its role as a major cultural tourism draw. Refugee Housing Pressure: Reports say people in Ireland’s state-funded refugee accommodation centres are being told to leave by July, raising fears of a homelessness surge. Health & Community Care: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, including a restored water system and new beds. Jobs & Industry: Eswatini Quantum Works plans a E640m cable manufacturing factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park, expected to create at least 200 jobs. Trade & Climate Resilience: Grindrod expects better performance in the second half as weather disruptions ease, while rail capacity recovers and Maputo port volumes rise.

Refugee Housing Pressure: Ireland’s Ipas accommodation centres are telling recognised refugees and some families to leave by early July, raising fears of a homelessness surge as officials warn of “risk of homelessness.” SME Finance Push: Eswatini says it has committed about E80m to the AeTrade/AFSIA initiative to help small businesses access finance and expand trade across Africa. New Jobs via Manufacturing: Eswatini Quantum Works (SEZ, Nokwane) is set to invest about E640m in aluminium and copper cable production for export, creating at least 200 jobs in phase 1. Health Support for Palliative Care: MTN Eswatini (E160,000) refurbished Hospice at Home’s inpatient unit, restoring the water system and adding six beds for patients. Governance Spotlight: REDI Consulting’s inaugural National Convention of Company Secretaries is set to convene at Pigg’s Peak Hotel, focusing on stronger accountability and ethical leadership. Sports & Youth Development: Real Betis expands in Africa with Real Betis Academy Gambia, adding another training hub after Eswatini’s academy. Community Tourism Boost: MTN Bushfire festival figures show Eswatini recorded 50,403 arrivals over the weekend, with occupancy rising across major towns.

SME Finance Push: Government committed about E80m to an AeTrade/AFSIA initiative to help Eswatini’s small and medium enterprises access affordable funding and new export markets across Africa. Sports & Youth Development: Real Betis launched its fourth Africa academy—Real Betis Academy Gambia—after already running academies in Algeria, Eswatini and Senegal, offering weekend training for ages 10–18. Healthcare Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in its 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, refurbishing a Hospice at Home palliative care unit with a restored water system and new beds. Governance Spotlight: REDI Consulting’s inaugural National Convention of Company Secretaries is set to bring governance and compliance professionals together at Pigg’s Peak Hotel to strengthen transparency and accountability. Jobs & Industry: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is investing over E600m to build a cable factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane, targeting about 200 jobs in the first phase. Animal Health & Trade Risk: Regional reporting highlights how foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and weak traceability systems can disrupt livestock exports—an issue with direct relevance to Southern Africa’s food and trade security.

Eswatini Jobs & Industry Boost: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd will invest about E600m at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, creating around 200 jobs in the first phase. Regional Trade & Climate Risk: Mozambique’s Ports and Railways (CFM) is moving ahead with the second phase of doubling the Ressano Garcia railway line (about US$160m), after earlier flooding on the Limpopo line caused major shutdowns and losses—highlighting the need for climate resilience in transport planning. Health & Animal Disease Watch: South Africa’s ongoing foot-and-mouth disease crisis is costing the livestock sector billions and is tied to weak nationwide disease tracing and control systems—an issue that matters for regional livestock trade, including markets that affect Eswatini-linked supply chains. Community Health Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish a palliative care unit at Hospice at Home, including restoring the water system and adding beds, as part of its Y’ello Care campaign. Human Rights & Environment Link: A global report says land, environmental and peasant community rights defenders make up the largest share of killings, underscoring how environmental activism can be deadly.

Regional Peace & Security: Malawi’s Second Vice President Enock Chihana has been delegated to chair a virtual SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit on 22 June, with Eswatini set as incoming chair—agenda focused on peace, security and regional integration. Clean Cities, Public Health: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Manzini Municipal Council teamed up for a community clean-up, removing litter from streets and public spaces to boost environmental responsibility and wellbeing. Biodiversity & Wildlife Health (via region): South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis is highlighted again, with calls for stronger disease tracking and management as outbreaks spread across provinces and export markets stay closed. Local Industry & Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan-linked) is set to invest about E640 million at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating around 200 jobs in phase one. Health & Community Support: MTN Eswatini handed over a refurbished palliative care inpatient unit at Hospice at Home, including a restored water system and new beds, funded through its Y’ello Care campaign. Women in Leadership: Shoprite Eswatini director Senator Sylvia Mthethwa was elected vice president of Africa’s Most Influential Women, marking another win for Eswatini’s business and public service leaders.

Regional Security Diplomacy: Malawi’s Second Vice President Enock Chihana has been delegated to chair a virtual SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit on 22 June, with Eswatini listed as incoming chair—focused on peace, security and regional integration. Clean Cities, Public Health: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a community clean-up, removing litter and clearing public spaces to boost environmental responsibility and wellbeing. Jobs & Industrial Growth: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd is set to launch a E640 million factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the SEZ programme, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs in phase one. Water & Health Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish a Hospice at Home palliative care inpatient unit, including restoring the water system and adding six beds. Biodiversity & Wildlife Health (Regional): Coverage highlights how foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in South Africa are spreading across provinces, underscoring the need for stronger disease tracking and prevention systems that also protect livestock and wildlife.

Community Cleanliness: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a city clean-up, with residents and businesses urged to help keep public spaces cleaner for better health and wellbeing. Clean Energy Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the Special Economic Zone, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs in Phase 1. Health & Care Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in its 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, refurbishing Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit with a restored water system and new beds. Food Security & Disease Risk: South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis is highlighted again, with calls for better disease traceability and tracking to stop outbreaks spreading from wildlife to farms. Governance & Finance: MPs want government to explore using EswatiniBank to manage certain funds, while keeping the Central Bank’s role intact. Regional Spotlight: UN says its presence in Eswatini is being strengthened through a restructured operating model, not scaled down.

Human Rights & Environment: A new Front Line Defenders report says at least 358 human rights defenders were killed in 28 countries in 2025, with land, environmental and peasant community rights activists among the most targeted—an urgent reminder that environmental work often carries real personal risk. Clean Cities: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a community clean-up, removing litter from streets and public spaces to boost public health and environmental responsibility. Local Recognition: Shoprite Eswatini director Senator Sylvia Mthethwa was elected vice president of Africa’s Most Influential Women, highlighting Eswatini leadership in socio-economic development. Health & Care: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in its 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, refurbishing Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit with a restored water system and new beds. Investment & Industry: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is set to build a Nokwane factory under the SEZ at the Royal Science and Technology Park, with an E600m+ investment expected to create about 200 jobs producing aluminium and copper cables for export. UN Presence: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira says the UN’s presence in Eswatini is not shrinking, but is being strengthened through a restructured operating model.

Community Cleanliness: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a city clean-up, with residents and businesses urged to help keep public spaces cleaner for better health. Biodiversity & Wildlife Health: South Africa’s ongoing foot-and-mouth disease crisis is being linked to weak nationwide disease tracking, with repeated outbreaks spreading from wildlife reserves to farms and major export losses—an issue that matters for regional livestock biosecurity including Eswatini’s trade links. Public Health Systems: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira says the UN’s presence in Eswatini isn’t shrinking, but is being strengthened through a restructured operating model under the 2021–2025 cooperation framework. Clean Energy/Industry Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (SEZ at RSTP, Nokwane) is set to invest about E640 million to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, aiming to create at least 200 jobs in the initial phase. Healthcare Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in its Y’ello Care campaign, refurbishing Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit with a restored water system and new beds.

Community Cleanliness: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a city clean-up, with residents and businesses urged to help keep public spaces cleaner for better health. Health & Care: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in Hospice at Home, refurbishing a palliative care inpatient unit, restoring the water system and adding six beds after staff and MTNers helped with the work. Clean Energy/Industry Investment: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the Special Economic Zone programme, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs. UN Presence: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira says the UN is not withdrawing from Eswatini; it’s strengthening programmes under a restructured operating model with more agencies involved. Sports & Development: Ubombo Sugar FC of Eswatini was named alongside Julinho Athletics FC as one of only two clubs recognised by FIFA for a sustainable club management development model. Tourism Boost (Environment-linked): MTN Bushfire festival figures show higher arrivals and occupancy across major towns, underlining the event’s growing draw and the need for good waste and public-space management.

Clean Cities Push: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a community clean-up in Manzini, with residents and businesses urged to help keep public spaces cleaner for better health and wellbeing. Health & Care Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 in its 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, refurbishing a Hospice at Home palliative care unit with a restored water system and new beds—plus staff helped fix the water system themselves. Foreign Investment for Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the Special Economic Zone programme, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating at least 200 jobs. UN Presence in Eswatini: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira says the UN is not shrinking its footprint in Eswatini; instead, it’s strengthening programmes under a restructured operating model with more agencies. Community Environment Awareness: Eswatini Mobile Cares’ clean-up drive highlights shared responsibility for environmental cleanliness across the country.

Foot-and-mouth disease tracking: South Africa’s FMD outbreaks have spread across provinces since 2019, hitting farms and the R80bn beef industry, with major export losses and a key problem: no mandatory nationwide system to trace outbreaks and stop spread. Regional animal health push: Uganda plans a nationwide FMD vaccination drive (July–August 2026), using a new model with two rounds yearly, cold-chain logistics, and animal registration to improve surveillance. Clean city action: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini joined a community clean-up in Manzini, removing litter and urging residents and businesses to share responsibility for cleaner, healthier public spaces. Hospice at Home support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish a palliative care inpatient unit for Hospice at Home, including restoring the water system and adding beds. Local health system strain: A parliamentary committee report flags critical understaffing at Mbabane Government Hospital, with vacant posts left unfilled for long periods and shortages affecting nearly every department. UN presence in Eswatini: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira says the UN is not withdrawing; it’s strengthening work through a restructured operating model with more agencies covered. FDI and jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is set to build a E640m cable manufacturing factory at Nokwane under the SEZ, targeting at least 200 jobs in the first phase.

Hospice Care Boost: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care inpatient unit, restoring the water system and adding six beds—an effort tied to the Y’ello Care campaign. Clean Cities, Shared Responsibility: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a community clean-up in Manzini, removing litter and urging residents and businesses to protect public spaces for health and wellbeing. Jobs and Industry Push: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan-linked) is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the SEZ programme, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs in the initial phase. Health System Pressure: A parliamentary committee report says Mbabane Government Hospital is facing critical staff shortages across nearly every department, with doctor-to-patient ratios around 1:100 and long delays in filling vacant posts. Customer Service Upgrade: The Eswatini Housing Board launched a real-time Net Promoter Score (NPS) feedback platform to capture customer input across email, SMS, website and social media. Regional Trade Talks: SACU meetings are set to run in Cape Town from 18–26 June, with Eswatini among expected participants discussing customs and ways to strengthen regional trade.

Jobs & Industry: Eswatini’s Special Economic Zones are getting a boost as Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd (from Turkmenistan) commissions a E600m+ factory at Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, with about 200 jobs expected in the first phase. Clean Cities: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Municipal Council of Manzini teamed up for a community clean-up, pushing shared responsibility for cleaner public spaces and better public health. Health & Services: A parliamentary committee report on Mbabane Government Hospital points to critical staff shortages across nearly every department, with doctor-to-patient strain and long hiring delays linked to a hiring freeze. Water, Rail & Climate Risk: Mozambique’s CFM is moving ahead with a second phase to double the Ressano Garcia railway line (US$160m), while stressing climate resilience after Limpopo-line flooding caused major shutdowns and losses. Food & Climate Policy: The Rural Women’s Assembly of Southern Africa urged governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy, saying they already hold solutions for resilient food systems. Regional Trade Talks: SACU meetings in Cape Town (18–26 June) will bring together Eswatini and neighbours to discuss customs and ways to strengthen regional trade.

Clean Cities, Shared Responsibility: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Manzini Municipal Council teamed up for a community clean-up, with residents and businesses removing litter and clearing public spaces to boost environmental responsibility and public health. Customer Service for the Environment of Housing: The Eswatini Housing Board launched a real-time customer feedback platform using the Net Promoter Score (NPS) approach, letting tenants and stakeholders share input via email links, SMS, social media and reception tablets to improve service delivery. Health Tech in Everyday Life: MTN Eswatini is promoting digital health awareness through the Notsa Health App, now localised into Siswati, offering reminders and guidance to help people manage medication and appointments. Jobs and Industry Push: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd will invest over E600 million at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane under the Special Economic Zone programme, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs in the initial phase. Regional Trade Talks: SACU meetings in Cape Town (18–26 June) will bring together Eswatini and other member states to discuss customs and ways to strengthen regional trade.

Health Systems & Preparedness: Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa urged sustained investment in resilient health systems after Ebola outbreaks in DRC and Uganda, including local manufacturing and a skilled workforce. Urban Cleanliness in Eswatini: Eswatini Mobile Cares and the Manzini Municipal Council ran a community clean-up, removing litter and urging residents and businesses to share responsibility for cleaner, healthier public spaces. UN Presence in Eswatini: UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira said the UN is not withdrawing; its presence is being strengthened through a restructured operating model, with more agencies under the cooperation framework. Housing Service Delivery: The Eswatini Housing Board launched a real-time customer feedback platform using Net Promoter Score (NPS) to improve service delivery through ongoing public input. Local Health Access via Tech: MTN Eswatini promoted the Notsa Health App, now localised into Siswati, to help people manage health information, reminders, and guidance. Food & Climate Policy for Women Farmers: The Rural Women’s Assembly called for women smallholder farmers to lead food and climate policy, highlighting their role in building resilient food systems. Regional Trade Talks: SACU meetings in Cape Town will bring together Eswatini and others to discuss customs and ways to strengthen regional trade links. Mbabane Hospital Staffing Crisis: A parliamentary committee reported critical staff shortages at Mbabane Government Hospital, with understaffing affecting nearly every department.