Eswatini and Mozambique Push Implementation as Consular Services Move Closer to Mozambicans

MBABANE – Eswatini and Mozambique have called for the effective implementation of existing bilateral agreements following high-level talks in Mbabane.

Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, met Mozambique’s State Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Communities Abroad, Dr Maria de Fátima Manso, at the ministry.

According to Eswatini’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the meeting reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between the two countries and the need for continued high-level engagement.

The discussions covered six areas of cooperation: security, defence, trade, transport, consular affairs and regional cooperation.

Consular services

Shakantu welcomed Mozambique’s initiative to bring consular and documentation services closer to Mozambican nationals living in Eswatini, according to the ministry.

The ministry did not specify which services would be provided, where they would be available or when the initiative would begin.

Mozambique’s High Commission is based in Mbabane and provides consular services by appointment.

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The latest initiative is aimed at making access to documentation and other consular services easier for Mozambican nationals living elsewhere in the Kingdom.

Manso was appointed Mozambique’s State Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Communities Abroad in 2025.

Trade and economic cooperation

Trade between the two countries was also discussed.

According to Observatory of Economic Complexity data, Eswatini exported about US$92.2 million in goods to Mozambique in 2023, while Mozambique exported about US$26 million to Eswatini.

Both figures were lower than in 2018, when Eswatini’s exports to Mozambique were about US$108 million and Mozambique’s exports to Eswatini stood at about US$48.8 million.

Electricity was among Mozambique’s exports to Eswatini in 2023.

The two countries have also been discussing increased electricity supplies.

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and King Mswati III discussed energy cooperation during Chapo’s visit to Eswatini in April 2026.

Mozambique currently supplies 30 megawatts of electricity to Eswatini, with discussions on increasing the supply to 100 megawatts, according to Club of Mozambique.

Chapo has also announced the reactivation of the Joint Cooperation Commission between the two countries.

Maputo port and fuel pipeline

Transport cooperation was another issue raised during the meeting.

Mozambique’s state ports and railways company, CFM, has said Eswatini is considering a fuel pipeline from the Port of Maputo.

CFM said the proposal remains at an early stage and will require technical and economic feasibility studies.

Eswatini already uses the Port of Maputo for fuel imports.

Cross-border security

Security and defence cooperation also featured in the discussions, although the ministry did not provide details of specific agreements considered.

The two countries have previously held talks on cross-border crime.

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In March 2026, the Royal Eswatini Police Service’s National Commissioner led a delegation to Maputo for discussions on transnational organised crime.

The issues included illegal immigration, stock theft, smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking and stolen vehicles.

A memorandum of understanding between the two police services was expected to follow, according to Club of Mozambique.

The countries share several border crossings, including Lomahasha-Namaacha and Mhlumeni-Goba.

The Mhlumeni-Goba crossing operates 24 hours a day.

Water and regional cooperation

The two countries are also involved in cross-border infrastructure and water-management projects.

The Lomahasha-Namaacha cross-border water supply project, launched with SADC partners in 2024, is expected to benefit more than 40,000 people in the two border communities.

In June 2026, Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa held the first ministerial council meeting of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission, which oversees cooperation on the shared river basins.

Next steps

The latest talks did not announce new bilateral agreements but placed emphasis on implementing existing commitments.

The immediate areas to watch are the rollout of consular services for Mozambicans in Eswatini, the reactivation of the Joint Cooperation Commission, electricity-supply discussions, the proposed fuel pipeline and police cooperation.

The Eswatini foreign ministry said both sides expressed a commitment to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.