With its rolling hills and lush greenery, Eswatini is undeniably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Tourists clearly think so too, as evidenced by an 11.9% increase in arrivals between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Eswatini Tourism Authority. The tourism industry contributed about 1.8% to the national GDP in 2022, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council – a promising sign for the Kingdom’s economy.

But beneath this verdant landscape and the hissing rivers lies a growing threat: alien invasive plant species. According to the National Strategy for the Control and Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species (2020–2030), 95% of Eswatini is at risk of being overtaken by these plants. By 2020, clearing invaded land was already estimated to be over E1.2 billion – 3.68% of the 2025 national budget of E32.61 billion. Alien invasive plants devastate ecosystems: they choke indigenous plants that provide medicinal and food resources, consume vast amounts of river water reducing supply to farmers and industries downstream, and overrun grazing land.

CONCO: A Shining Example

The question is clear: what needs to be done?

While the Government of Eswatini, supported by development agencies, is acting, the challenge remains immense. This is why we need all hands-on deck – particularly the private sector – to help create a healthy environment.

A shining example comes from CONCO Eswatini, a corporate giant in the Matsapha Industrial Site. Responding to UNDP’s proposal, the company invested E870,000 (USD 50,000) to support the Nature-based Solutions Pilot to Establish a Catchment Investment Plan along the Lusushwana River. As a direct user of the river for its operations, CONCO recognised that safeguarding the river is not only an environmental imperative but also a business necessity.

Through this partnership, UNDP collaborated with the Eswatini National Trust Commission, to mobilize the community, train 20 youth volunteers, and equip them with protective clothing and tools to clear 80 hectares of invasive plants. By November 14, during a field visit with CONCO General Manager Muzi Mahlobo, private sector players, community leaders, policymakers, and youth volunteers, we learnt that 25% of the targeted area had already been cleared and some indigenous plants replanted.

Towards Sustainable Environmental Stewardship

Yet challenges remain. Lusushwana River stretches roughly 30 kilometres and is home to crocodiles – posing safety risks – and some invasive plants have grown thickly forming multiple islands along the river. Heavy machinery is needed as they’re too thick to remove by hand. This journey has also reminded us that development is complex, challenging, and at times untidy but full of opportunity. Out of the 20 volunteers, only four are women given the nature of the tasks. These realities reinforce why coordinated; inclusive private sector engagement is essential.

This is where the private sector can make a transformative difference. Businesses have assets, expertise, and equipment that can be leveraged for environmental impact. As Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini, represented by Musa Maseko, noted, this project directly addresses industry challenges, particularly water shortages caused by overgrown invasive plants. Mahlobo echoed this, emphasizing that sustainable operations depend on healthy, functioning ecosystems.

Investment in nature does not have to be purely financial. Companies can provide machinery, technical know-how, volunteer hours, or logistical support. Every contribution strengthens ecosystems, safeguards business operations, and benefits communities.

The private sector’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be overstated. Businesses are engines of growth, catalysts for innovation, and drivers of sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives like the Lusushwana River project demonstrate how corporate responsibility can evolve into shared value – where environmental stewardship and business success reinforce each other.

Exploring Sustainable Models 

Looking ahead, we need to explore sustainable models for environmental stewardship. One approach could be introducing an environmental service fee for downstream users to maintain healthy catchment ecosystems. This project proves that downstream users – including private sector companies and farmers – can play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity while securing long-term benefits for their businesses and communities.

Eswatini’s rivers, hills, and forests are more than natural treasures – they are the lifeblood of our economy and communities. The private sector has an unprecedented opportunity to invest in nature, ensuring that these ecosystems remain healthy, productive, and resilient for generations to come.