His Majesty King Mswati III has officially commissioned the opening of the International Convention Centre (ICC), formally inaugurating the much-anticipated state-of-the-art venue after more than a decade of planning and development.
Years in the making, the ICC saw construction commence on October 15, 2015, originally intended for completion within three years to position the kingdom as a premier host for major regional and international gatherings.
The opening of the ICC in Ezulwini yesterday has brought to fruition a long-planned infrastructure project designed to strengthen the kingdom’s position as a venue for major international conferences, exhibitions, and high-level gatherings.
This milestone event also marked the official start of the Royal Signature Expo, a high-end showcase running from April 25 to 27. The expo features innovation, enterprise, premium brands and cultural elements, aligned with the national celebrations of the king’s Ruby Jubilee and 58th birthday.
The ICC project has been in development for more than a decade. Conceived to boost business tourism and economic activity, the centre spans approximately 42 000 square metres and is managed in partnership with Palazzo Hospitality of Dubai. It is integrated with the adjacent Palazzo Ezulwini Hotel, a seven-floor luxury property covering 51 000 square metres.
The complex occupies nearly 190 hectares and includes advanced facilities for conferences and events. Recent budget allocations, including E600 million, supported the final stages of construction and operational readiness.
The day’s proceedings began with the arrival of senior government officials. Cabinet ministers, the prime minister and members of the king’s advisory circle entered the venue, followed by invited regional dignitaries.
These included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, King Letsie III, former South African president Jacob Zuma, and former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila.
His Majesty King Mswati III then arrived, accompanied by members of the royal family. His presence set the tone for the formal ceremony.
The programme continued in the main auditorium with conversations that emphasised the ICC’s role in attracting investment, supporting tourism and creating opportunities in related sectors such as hospitality and transport.
The highlight came when the king cut the ceremonial ribbon, formally declaring the International Convention Centre open. This act symbolised the transition from construction to active use.
Following the ribbon-cutting, invited guests toured the Royal Signature Expo, which was already underway with displays of innovation and premium offerings.
The expo, held as part of the national celebrations for the king’s Ruby Jubilee and 58th birthday, featured a striking automotive display by the Daytona Group.
This included five high-end vehicles that headlined the exhibition: models from McLaren (including the highly acclaimed V8 twin-turbo model available for order), Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Maybach.
The collection of luxurious cars and high-performance SUVs drew considerable attention from motor enthusiasts and added a distinctive element of automotive excellence to the occasion.
The group then proceeded through the key areas of the ICC.
The venue features a principal theatre with capacity for up to 1 800 patrons across two levels (ground and balcony), supported by modern acoustic and audiovisual systems.
Additional spaces include a chamber hall suitable for high-level conferences, a multipurpose hall configurable for up to 1 500 in ballroom seating or 3 000 in classroom style, multiple meeting and exhibition halls, VIP reception rooms and a restaurant with seating for 340 guests. Extensive banqueting facilities support large-scale events.
The attached Palazzo Ezulwini Hotel offers 299 guest rooms, ranging from standard rooms to junior suites, executive suites, presidential suites and royal suites.
The design incorporates contemporary standards with high-quality finishes, creating spaces appropriate for international diplomatic and business gatherings.
The overall complex combines functional excellence with an ambiance suited to sophisticated events.
Public viewing and guided tours of the ICC are scheduled from today to Tuesday, providing residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the completed facility.
The official opening of the International Convention Centre represents a significant step in local infrastructure development, offering a modern venue equipped to host conferences and exhibitions at an international level.
