Eswatini could soon tap into Mozambique’s vast natural gas reserves through a landmark pipeline project.
This follows fruitful discussions between His Majesty King Mswati III and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo during the King’s recent State visit to the neighbouring nation. This was before the King travelled to Turkmenistan for the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), where he delivered a speech.
Speaking at Ludzidzini Royal Residence upon his return yesterday, the King revealed that a natural gas pipeline was among the key proposals that emerged from the high-level talks. Both countries, the King said, were eager to identify tangible areas of cooperation that could strengthen their economies and improve the lives of their citizens.
“We spoke about natural gas and ways it can be brought closer to Eswatini and have a facility where it can be processed,” His Majesty said. “The natural gas deposits are located far up north within Mozambique, which is a very long way, and so perhaps it can be explored on how to draw it closer. This was just one of the options we discussed,” the King said.
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Mozambique is home to some of the largest natural gas reserves in Africa, while Eswatini has long sought to become self-sufficient in the petroleum sector.
The King emphasised that the talks with President Chapo were marked by mutual enthusiasm for fostering strong and meaningful partnerships. The envisioned pipeline could provide Eswatini with a reliable energy source, reduce dependence on external suppliers, and create opportunities for downstream industries.
For Mozambique, the arrangement would mean securing access to another resource it needs — water. Large parts of the country face water shortages, an area where Eswatini could provide assistance.
“This is where we can assist them as Eswatini. There should be water that goes to Mozambique,” the King said, describing the cooperation as mutually beneficial.
The talks also explored ways Eswatini could benefit from Mozambique’s numerous seaports, especially for imports and exports. While Eswatini currently uses South African ports, access to Mozambican ports could diversify trade routes and reduce logistical costs.
Another priority is improving the efficiency of cross-border trade. Both leaders expressed interest in making border posts between the two nations operate 24 hours a day and streamlining services to cut down on delays.
“Movement at the borders can become more efficient,” the King said, adding that traders often lost valuable time due to bureaucratic hurdles.
The King acknowledged that the natural gas pipeline project would require careful planning and thorough viability studies. However, he was optimistic about the potential economic windfall.
“There is no doubt about the huge return on investment that can come from natural gas — even billions or trillions in currency,” he said.
Annual ministerial meetings will be held between the two governments to track progress on the agreed areas of cooperation. Formal agreements to this effect were signed during the visit.
During his stay in Mozambique, the King toured the Mozambique Industrial Park and viewed natural gas products first-hand, underscoring Eswatini’s interest in industrialising and diversifying its energy supply.
As both countries begin laying the groundwork for the proposed pipeline and other cooperative ventures, the vision is clear — a future where shared resources fuel shared prosperity.
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