MBABANE, Eswatini – Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, has held talks with British High Commissioner to Eswatini Colin Wells on strengthening bilateral relations, with trade, migration and business opportunities among the key issues discussed.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, focused on expanding cooperation between the two countries and identifying practical ways to build on their longstanding historical relationship.
Eswatini and the United Kingdom share historical ties dating back centuries, with both governments seeking to strengthen their partnership through initiatives covering bilateral cooperation, commercial relations and migration.
Migration featured prominently during the discussions, with the two sides examining ways to promote safe, orderly and regular movement between Eswatini and the UK.
The talks also considered the importance of maintaining people-to-people connections and sustaining dialogue on migration-related matters, particularly as both countries seek to facilitate legitimate movement across their borders.
Trade and investment opportunities also formed part of the engagement, building on the outcomes of the UK–Eswatini Business Seminar held during the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026.
Shakantu and Wells discussed how businesses in Eswatini could take greater advantage of opportunities in the British market, including access to tariff-free trade arrangements for eligible products under the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM)–UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Such access remains subject to the rules and requirements contained in the agreement, providing an opportunity for qualifying Eswatini exporters to strengthen their competitiveness in the UK market.
The discussions also explored potential business ventures aimed at helping young people in Eswatini establish enterprises capable of accessing and serving markets in the United Kingdom.
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