AGP Executive Report

Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is due to attend COP31 in Türkiye, where leaders will discuss climate action and sustainable development. The summit comes as the UN warns the world is set to exceed the 1.5°C warming limit. Drought Risk: CANGO says borrowing E3.79 billion could strain public finances if El Niño brings drought, leaving less room for emergency relief and food support. Resilient Towns: At the Urban Forum, officials called for better planning and climate-resilient infrastructure as Eswatini’s towns grow beyond existing plans. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won E30,000 in a school anti-poaching competition aimed at protecting wildlife and habitats near game reserves. Climate-Smart Farming: Research on Bambara groundnuts found October planting gave the best yields in simulations, pointing to a way to diversify crops and strengthen food security. Energy Choices: Eswatini says it is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that safety, strong institutions and careful preparation must come first.

Climate and Public Finances: CANGO has warned that taking on E3.79 billion in new loans could leave government with less room to respond if El Niño brings drought and a need for emergency food support. Resilient Towns: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, UN-Habitat called for better-resourced local authorities to manage urban growth and build climate-resilient infrastructure, while officials urged stronger planning for housing, water and sanitation. Climate-Smart Farming: Researchers found that planting bambara groundnuts in October can produce the best yields, offering farmers a way to diversify crops as climate change puts pressure on food security. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won E30,000 in a school anti-poaching competition aimed at building conservation awareness in communities near game reserves. Energy Choices: Eswatini says it is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that safety, strong institutions and careful preparation must come first.

Conservation: Auditors entered South Africa’s Songimvelo Nature Reserve, part of the Songimvelo–Malolotja conservation area shared with Eswatini, to remeasure a disputed game fence, escorted by rangers among elephants, buffalo and leopards. Urban Resilience: Eswatini’s towns are growing faster than plans can keep up, putting pressure on land, water, sanitation and infrastructure. UN-Habitat says councils need more resources and capacity to deliver climate-resilient development. Climate & Farming: A study using 50 years of data identifies October as the best planting time for bambara groundnuts, a nutritious crop suited to tougher growing conditions. Farmers are also urged to plant early as El Niño looms, while drought is forcing livestock keepers to make hard choices. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won E30,000 in a school anti-poaching contest aimed at building conservation awareness near game reserves. Energy Choices: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for its long-term energy mix, but says strong safety rules, institutions and legislation must come first. Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is heading to COP31 in Türkiye for talks that include climate change and sustainable development.

Energy Costs and Choices: Fuel prices have risen 51.2% since April, exposing Eswatini’s reliance on imported energy. The government is also exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that safety, legislation and public trust must come first. Growing Towns: Eswatini’s towns are expanding faster than planning can keep up, putting pressure on land, water, sanitation and housing. At the Urban Forum, UN-Habitat called for better-resourced local authorities to deliver climate-resilient infrastructure. Climate Action: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is due to attend COP31 in Türkiye, where climate change and development financing are on the agenda. Farming and Wildlife: Researchers say planting bambara groundnuts in October can improve yields in Southern Africa, while a school anti-poaching competition has encouraged young people to protect wildlife and natural habitats.

Urban Growth: Eswatini’s towns are expanding beyond existing plans, straining housing, water, sanitation and roads. The Urban Forum is calling for more sustainable ways to finance resilient infrastructure and help councils manage growth. Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is heading to COP31 in Türkiye, where climate change and support for developing countries are on the agenda. Energy Choices: Eswatini says it is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that safety, strong institutions and careful assessment must come first. Farm Resilience: Scientists say planting bambara groundnuts in October can improve yields, while farmers are urged to plant early as El Niño threatens the region. Wildlife: Malibeni High won E30,000 in a schools competition promoting conservation and anti-poaching near game reserves.

Urban Resilience: Eswatini’s growing towns are outpacing planning and infrastructure, putting pressure on land, water, sanitation and housing. The Urban Forum is seeking sustainable ways to finance resilient growth and strengthen local authorities. Climate Action: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is expected to attend COP31 in Türkiye, where leaders will discuss climate change and support for developing countries. Wildlife: Malibeni High School won E30,000 in a conservation competition promoting protection of wildlife and habitats near game reserves. Climate-Smart Farming: Research suggests planting bambara groundnuts in October can improve yields, while drought-tolerant indigenous crops could help diversify food production. Energy: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that any move would require careful assessment, strong safety measures and public trust.

Climate Talks: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is heading to COP31 in Türkiye, where climate action and financing are on the agenda. Urban Planning: Eswatini’s towns are growing beyond existing plans, straining housing, roads, water and sanitation; UN-Habitat says councils need resources to build climate-resilient communities. Climate-Ready Farming: Research suggests planting bambara groundnuts in October can improve yields, while regional modelling warns changing rainfall could deepen pressure on livestock farmers, including in Eswatini. Energy Choices: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for the long term, with officials stressing that safety, strong institutions and careful preparation must come first. Wildlife: Malibeni High won E30,000 in a schools anti-poaching contest aimed at building conservation awareness near game reserves.

Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is representing Eswatini at the Commonwealth meeting before proceeding to COP31 in Türkiye, where climate action and sustainable development are on the agenda. Urban Growth: Towns are expanding beyond existing plans, putting pressure on limited land and making orderly provision of roads, water, sanitation and electricity harder. Climate-Ready Farming: A study using decades of climate and soil data found October planting gave bambara groundnuts the best yields; farmers are also urged to plant early and use quick-maturing varieties as El Niño threatens dry spells. Energy Planning: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for its future energy mix, while stressing that safety, legislation and strong institutions must come first. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won RES’s anti-poaching competition, which aims to build conservation awareness among learners living near game reserves.

Climate-Smart Farming: A study using 50 years of climate and soil data found October planting gave bambara groundnuts the best yields in Southern Africa. The drought-tolerant native crop could help diversify farms as climate change puts pressure on staple crops. Energy Planning: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power for its long-term energy mix, but says careful assessment, strong safety rules and public trust must come first. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won E30,000 in RES’s anti-poaching competition, which aimed to build conservation awareness among learners near game reserves. Resilient Towns: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, UN-Habitat called for better-resourced councils and climate-resilient planning as towns grow. Drought and Livelihoods: Research covering Eswatini and six neighbouring countries examines how changing rainfall could affect pastoralists’ livestock and wealth, while the Agriculture Ministry urges farmers to plant early and use early-maturing seeds ahead of a possible El Niño dry spell.

Energy Transition: Eswatini is weighing nuclear power for its long-term energy mix, but says any move requires careful assessment, strong institutions, legislation, safety measures and public trust. Wildlife Protection: Malibeni High won E30,000 in RES’s schools anti-poaching competition, which aims to build conservation awareness among learners living near game reserves. Resilient Towns: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, UN-Habitat urged investment in local authorities’ capacity to manage growth and climate risks, while the UN resident coordinator said urban expansion is increasing demand for water, sanitation and infrastructure. Climate & Farming: Agriculture officials are urging farmers to plant early and use fast-maturing seed to make the most of early rains ahead of a possible El Niño. Research on pastoral communities, including in Eswatini, also warns that changing rainfall could affect livestock and deepen inequality.

Wildlife Conservation: Malibeni High won E30,000 in RES’s anti-poaching competition, which brought five schools together to promote wildlife protection and habitat conservation near game reserves. Climate Action: Eswatini’s 2027 Yellow Epilepsy Half-Marathon will promote disability-led climate action, with organisers exploring an upgrade to a full marathon. Resilient Towns: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, UN-Habitat urged stronger local-authority capacity for climate-resilient development; councils called for partnerships to fund infrastructure and housing. Drought Readiness: Agriculture officials urged farmers to use early rains to plant promptly and choose early-maturing seeds, warning that a looming El Niño could bring dry spells. Research across southern Africa, including Eswatini, also warns that changing rainfall could threaten pastoralists’ herds and livelihoods.

Energy Transition: Open-access electricity markets across Africa are creating new investment opportunities, with reforms in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia opening generation and power trading to private players. Drought and Livelihoods: Research covering Eswatini and six other southern African countries examines how shifting rainfall could affect pastoralists’ livestock and wealth, as drought makes herds harder to sustain and sell. Farmers’ Alert: Eswatini’s agriculture ministry urges farmers to plant early and use fast-maturing seeds, warning that looming El Niño conditions could bring dry spells and threaten harvests.

Drought and Livelihoods: Research covering Eswatini and six other southern African countries warns that shifting rainfall could make livestock keeping harder for pastoralists, with impacts shaped by household wealth. Farming Readiness: Eswatini’s Agriculture Ministry is urging farmers to plant early and choose fast-maturing seed, as looming El Niño conditions could bring dry spells and threaten harvests. Climate Finance: Southern African Catholic delegates have called on high-emitting economies to deliver climate funding.

Climate and Livelihoods: A study covering Eswatini and six other southern African countries warns that shifting rainfall could affect pastoralists’ livestock and deepen inequality, as poorer households have fewer ways to manage drought losses. Farm Preparedness: Agriculture officials are urging farmers to plant early and choose fast-maturing crops while early rains last, warning that looming El Niño could bring prolonged dry spells. Climate Funding: Catholic delegates from across the region, including Eswatini, called on high-emitting economies to deliver climate finance and urged stronger protection for communities facing pollution and other harms from mining.

Drought and Livelihoods: New research covering Eswatini and six neighbouring countries examines how climate-driven rainfall changes could affect pastoralists’ livestock and livelihoods, with wealth shaping their ability to cope. Farm Preparedness: Agriculture officials are urging farmers to plant early and choose fast-maturing crops, warning that looming El Niño conditions could bring prolonged dry spells despite early rains. Energy Risks: An IMF study warns drought could disrupt hydropower and worsen Eswatini’s electricity-sector finances, exposing government to risks of up to 13.9% of GDP under severe stress. Climate Funding: Catholic delegates from Eswatini and other southern African countries have urged high-emitting nations to deliver climate finance and called for stronger safeguards against pollution and harm to communities near mines.

El Niño Readiness: Eswatini’s Agriculture Ministry is urging farmers to plant early and choose fast-maturing crops while early rains last, warning that El Niño could bring prolonged dry spells and threaten harvests. Water-Smart Farming: Hydroponics could help farmers grow vegetables with less water and in limited space, offering one option as rainfall becomes less predictable. Energy and Drought Risk: An IMF study warns drought could disrupt hydropower, which supplies about half of Eswatini’s domestic electricity generation, adding pressure to an electricity sector already exposed to costly imports. Climate Funding: Catholic delegates from across the region, including Eswatini, called on high-emitting countries to deliver climate finance and urged stronger safeguards for communities affected by mining pollution.