Policies and Plans on Critical Minerals and their Effectiveness in eSwatini

Key challenges identified include:

• Limited public access to information about mineral reserves, licensing decisions, and revenue flows.
• Weak oversight mechanisms and community participation in mining decisions.
• Environmental and social safeguards that require more robust enforcement
• Absence of a Just Energy Transition framework aligned with the country’s ambitious green agenda, which targets a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
• Skills and infrastructure gaps that limit value-addition opportunities.

The governance imperative: The current shareholding structure 50% investor, 25% King, and 25% Government (split between government coffers and community ownership) requires clearer mechanisms for public accountability and transparency. Recent global assessments have raised concerns about governance standards: eSwatini’s Corruption Perceptions Index score declined from 43/100 in 2014 to 30/100 in 2023, indicating a need for stronger institutional frameworks.

The good news: eSwatini has a foundation to build on. The National Development Plan’s commitment to minerals beneficiation and green growth provides a clear roadmap. By adopting international best practices—such as joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, strengthening legislative oversight, establishing clearer community benefit mechanisms, and developing a Just Energy Transition strategy the country can position itself as a responsible critical minerals producer.

These reforms would enhance investor confidence, ensure transparent revenue management, strengthen communities’ participation in mining benefits, and deliver on the vision that the sector truly serves the nation’s sustainable development goals.