Overview
The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small, landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. It is classified as a lower-middle income country with a fairly diversified economy. However, Eswatini remains highly dependent on South Africa, which accounts for over 90% of its imports and around 60% of its exports. Economic growth has been affected by external shocks in recent years, notably in the textile sector, as well as broader structural challenges.
Agriculture plays a key role in rural livelihoods and food security, while the country also faces high levels of poverty and inequality. Social protection and human development are therefore key priorities for Eswatini's sustainable development.
Our partnership
The EU and Eswatini cooperate to promote human development and social inclusion, in line with the country’s development priorities and the Global Gateway strategy. This partnership focuses on education and skills development, agriculture, social protection, trade, civil society, and sustainable energy.
Team Europe – comprising the EU and its Member States – works together to maximise the impact of joint efforts and strengthen sustainable and inclusive development in the country.
For 2021–2027, the EU allocated €40 million in grant funding to Eswatini. Eswatini also benefits from regional and thematic programmes, including support for teacher training, vocational education, cultural cooperation, and regional trade under the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement.
EU-Eswatini partnership programming documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Education
The EU partners with Eswatini to invest in education and non-formal training, with a focus on developing skills for youth and other vulnerable groups. Key actions include:
- Strengthening vocational education and training through the “Skills for Youth Employability, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment” programme, aligning training with labour market needs and targeting youth, women, and disadvantaged groups.
- Improving access to inclusive education for youth with disabilities through the “Back to School” initiative, supporting the human rights of disabled youth and mitigating the effects of COVID-19.
- Enhancing the quality and relevance of education and training through regional and continental initiatives such as the African Continental Qualifications Framework, the Regional Teacher Initiative for Africa, and the Harmonisation of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in African Higher Education (HAQAA3).
- Promoting academic mobility and research collaboration via Erasmus+, the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, and projects like PATH (Precision Agriculture Through Cross-Regional Academic Mobility), supporting climate-smart agri-food systems and higher education networks.
- Supporting youth engagement and cultural cooperation through initiatives like the Africa-EU Youth Academy, the Support to Youth in Africa programme, and the Africa-Europe Cultural Cooperation project, fostering intercultural dialogue, inclusion, and youth leadership for sustainable development.
- Investment and trade
The EU supports Eswatini in creating jobs and fostering inclusive economic growth by improving the investment climate and facilitating trade under the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
- Investing in job creation and MSMEs through support to economic recovery and private sector development, particularly in response to the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Supporting trade by strengthening Eswatini’s capacity to implement the EU-SADC EPA and to benefit from regional and international trade opportunities.
- Agriculture
Eswatini benefits from EU support to strengthen sustainable agri-value chains, improve water storage infrastructure, and promote energy efficiency to drive inclusive rural growth.
- Building sustainable agri-value chains by increasing the contribution of agriculture to poverty reduction through support to smallholder horticulture and livestock production, with a focus on marketing opportunities, value addition, and inclusion of women and youth.
- Increasing water storage capacity through the construction and rehabilitation of small and medium dams and irrigation systems, boosting climate resilience and food security in rural communities.
- Boosting energy efficiency in agriculture by investing in renewable energy and efficiency solutions that enhance productivity across agricultural, commercial, and industrial value chains under the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Energy
The EU contributes to boosting renewable energy and energy efficiency across key sectors - including agriculture, commerce and industry - to support sustainable and inclusive development in Eswatini.
- Health
Through regional programmes, the EU supports efforts to improve access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, helping to reduce maternal mortality across Africa.
- Humanitarian aid
The EU helps improve disaster preparedness and emergency response in Eswatini, supporting communities to better manage humanitarian and health-related crises.