MBABANE – The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, has commended the Government of Italy for the completion and handover of projects worth more than E109 million.
The minister described the investment as another milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries. Senator Shakantu made the remarks during bilateral talks with the Italian Ambassador to Eswatini, Gabriele Annis on Friday.
She thanked the ambassador for the completion and handover of projects funded by the Italian Government, valued at over E109 million.
The minister noted that Eswatini and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2017 to strengthen cooperation in climate change, environmental management and energy development. She further noted that the MoU was renewed in 2025, paving the way for continued collaboration between the two countries.
Under the framework of the agreement, two major projects have now been completed.
These include the greening of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, which now runs on approximately 98 per cent solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, and the Strengthening of Early Warning Systems and Climate Services at the Meteorological and Water Affairs Departments.
Both projects were officially handed over to their respective beneficiaries on Friday.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane; Cabinet ministers, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative; senior government officials and management of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital.
The projects were funded by the Italian Government and implemented with technical support from the UNDP.
They also reflected close collaboration among the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, and the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation further highlighted that relations between Eswatini and Italy continue to be sustained through multilateral channels in Rome, where Italy hosts the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
According to the ministry, the shared presence in Rome strengthens cooperation beyond the bilateral track and supports joint initiatives in development, food security and climate resilience.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu, with the Ambassador of Italy to Eswatini Gabriele Annis. (Courtesy pic)