His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini has urged African nations to increase commerce among themselves rather than relying heavily on external markets.
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, the King said that current trade levels within Africa fall far short of the continent’s potential and must be transformed to achieve economic independence.
“Let us trade more with African countries, because if you look at the trade within Africa, you can see that it is very limited. It is high time we really turn around that situation and make Africa to trade more with one another,” the King declared during the official welcome ceremony.
The Eswatini monarch stated that the continent’s continued dependence on external markets undermines its development prospects.
He called for a fundamental shift in how African nations approach trade partnerships, positioning his visit to Ghana as part of a broader effort to identify concrete partnerships that can increase commerce between African nations.
His remarks come at a time when both Ghana and Eswatini are signatories to the African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol, which aims to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs and reducing trade barriers across the continent.
He positioned the African Continental Free Trade Area as the primary vehicle for achieving increased intra-continental commerce, expressing optimism that the agreement can transform Africa’s economic landscape if properly leveraged.
“We are here from Eswatini to see what are the opportunities, how can we trade,” the King said
He stressed that his visit to Ghana represents exactly the kind of bilateral engagement necessary to build the commercial relationships that can drive increased intra-African trade.
He expressed interest in exploring opportunities in trade, tourism, culture, and other areas where the two nations can build mutually beneficial partnerships that reduce dependence on external markets.
The monarch also acknowledged existing economic ties between Ghana and Eswatini, noting that a substantial Ghanaian community in Eswatini already contribute to his country’s economy, demonstrating the potential for expanded commercial relationships.
“I can assure you, Excellency, that all of them, they are well behaved… And they are contributing a lot into the economy of Eswatini,” he told President Mahama.