EZULWINI – Eswatini is hosting the Interstate Oil Committee (IOC) meeting this week, bringing together energy ministers and petroleum industry players from across the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) to discuss regional cooperation and reforms in the energy sector.
The meeting, officially opened by Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela, gathered delegates from Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, who meet twice a year to coordinate energy policies and petroleum-related strategies within the region.
Addressing the delegates, Prince Lonkhokhela reflected on Eswatini’s recent energy sector milestones, crediting the IOC platform for supporting key reforms. He pointed to the introduction of the Petroleum Act of 2020, the creation of a transparent fuel pricing model, and the establishment of the Eswatini National Petroleum Company as examples of progress driven by regional collaboration.
The gathering included an industry seminar involving oil companies and other stakeholders, offering a space to share insights, operational experiences, and policy updates related to petroleum supply, storage, and distribution.
Delegates are scheduled to visit petroleum projects within Eswatini tomorrow, giving them a closer look at infrastructure developments and energy initiatives shaping the country’s fuel supply chain.
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