His Royal Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini has lauded Ghana’s enduring role in Africa’s liberation and development, urging closer cooperation among African nations in trade, diplomacy, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during an official visit to Ghana, the King expressed profound gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him, the Queen, and the Eswatini delegation, describing Ghana as a “beautiful and historically significant country.”

“On behalf of the Queen and all of us from Eswatini, I want to say how happy we are to be back in this beautiful country,” he said.

“We are grateful for the warm welcome from His Excellency, the government, and the people of Ghana.”

King Mswati III praised Ghana’s pioneering contributions to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)—now the African Union (AU)—and its continued leadership in shaping a united and prosperous Africa.

“Ghana has always been at the heart of Africa’s transformation.

Today, the African Union is driving change, and Ghana continues to be a key player in creating African-led solutions to continental challenges.”

The King emphasised that his visit was aimed at strengthening ties between Eswatini and Ghana, especially in the areas of trade, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. He noted the shared cultural heritage between the two nations and the vast potential for mutual collaboration.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra, King Mswati said now is the time for Africa to seize the opportunity to boost intra-continental trade.

“We must begin to take full advantage of AfCFTA to expand trade among ourselves.

Africa’s future lies in unity and cooperation.”

He also highlighted the need for robust infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, drawing comparisons to the European Union’s integrated model.

“We can learn valuable lessons from the EU. With strong infrastructure and regional cooperation, Africa can become a powerful force in global development.”

During his stay, King Mswati III will also travel to the Ashanti Region to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in a reunion that follows their last meeting at the coronation of King Charles III in the United Kingdom.

“I promised to return his visit, and I’m delighted to fulfil that promise.

The connection between our traditional institutions reflects the deep bonds that unite African people,” the King said.

King Mswati also used the occasion to congratulate President John Dramani Mahama on his leadership and electoral success, applauding Ghana’s growing international influence through global figures such as Kofi Annan and the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, a Ghanaian diplomat.

“Ghana continues to inspire Africa and the world through its commitment to democracy, diplomacy, and development.”

The King concluded his remarks by reaffirming Eswatini’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Ghana and extended a formal invitation to President Mahama to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini.

“We look forward to welcoming you to our Kingdom and returning the generous hospitality we’ve received here.

Thank you for the excellent program prepared for us—we are excited for the days ahead in this beautiful country.”