MBABANE – Government has entered discussions with United States-based Baker Group of Companies to explore new avenues of collaboration in sustainable power generation and investment.
A high-level joint meeting was held on Monday between the Baker Group and three key ministries: Natural Resources and Energy, Commerce and Trade as well as Finance.
The meeting also included the participation of strategic national institutions – the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) and the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) signalling a united front in the kingdom’s drive for energy resilience.
Speaking during the engagement, Prince Lonkhokhela, highlighted Eswatini’s urgent need to diversify and strengthen its energy generation capacity.
He stressed that energy security is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for sustaining economic growth, attracting investment and ensuring reliable electricity supply to citizens and businesses alike.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini is committed to a future, where we produce our own power using efficient, affordable and environmentally sustainable methods,” said the prince.
The meeting with the Baker Group of Companies, which specialises in infrastructure and energy solutions across several African and global markets, is expected to lay the groundwork for future joint ventures in renewable and alternative energy projects in Eswatini.
While specific project proposals are yet to be finalised, sources close to the talks indicate that areas such as solar power generation, energy storage solutions, and grid enhancement could be among the opportunities explored.
Following the strategic dialogue, the delegation proceeded to the Office of the Prime Minister for a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Russell Dlamini.
The prime minister’s reception of the delegation reflected government’s commitment to aligning global expertise with domestic priorities in a way that fosters inclusive growth.
“Collaborations like these are essential as we seek to improve our energy security and build a sustainable, investor-friendly economy,” said a government source briefed on the discussions.
The energy sector remains a critical enabler of Eswatini’s National Development Strategy and the country’s push towards industrialisation and improved service delivery.
More details in today’s copy.
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