LocationsProjects mark major milestone in climate resilience and sustainable development
Italy Boosts Eswatini's Green Future
July 5, 2026
Italian Ambassador to Eswatini, His Excellency Mr Gabriele Annis, and Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Thulisile Dladla, cut the ribbon while the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, assists.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
The Government of the Republic of Italy officially handed over two transformative climate and sustainable development projects to the Government of Eswatini on 03 July, marking a significant milestone in the countries' partnership to advance renewable energy, strengthen disaster preparedness and build climate resilience.
Implemented with technical and administrative support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the projects were officially handed over during a ceremony held at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini.
Delivered under the Italy–Eswatini cooperation framework on climate change and environmental management, the Greening of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital Demonstration Project and the Strengthening Early Warning Systems and Climate Services Capacities Project represent a combined investment of approximately USD5.6 million.
Stakeholders pose for a group picture after the ribbon cutting.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
RFM Hospital becomes a model for sustainable healthcare
A key highlight of the handover is the successful transformation of RFM Hospital into one of Eswatini's leading examples of sustainable healthcare infrastructure.
Through the installation of a 1-megawatt solar photovoltaic system, the hospital has significantly reduced its dependence on fossil fuels while improving energy reliability and lowering operational costs.
The hospital, which serves approximately 350,000 people in the Manzini region, records around 15,000 hospital admissions, 4,000 births and approximately 500 outpatient consultations daily. The solar installation has reduced electricity costs by about 50 percent, generating annual savings of approximately E2.4 million (USD148,000). Around 20 percent of these savings – approximately E480,000 (USD30,000) – will be allocated towards system maintenance once responsibility is transferred to the hospital administration in January 2027.
“We have already begun redirecting these resources to strengthen services and expand diagnostic capability,” said Mr Mazwi Mavuso, Eswatini Nazarene Health Institutions CEO. “One concrete milestone made possible by these savings is the commencement of cytology services; an important first step toward our broader vision of establishing a fully functional pathology unit in the near future.” Cytology services are medical laboratory services that examine individual cells to detect disease, particularly cancer and infections.
Stakeholders listen to Dumisa Dlamini, RFM Biotechnician, as he explains solar battery storage.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
Strengthening Eswatini's climate preparedness
The second project has significantly enhanced Eswatini's capacity to monitor, forecast and respond to climate-related hazards, including floods, droughts, storms and lightning.
Key achievements include the installation of 10 automated weather stations, eight river-flow gauging stations, upgraded weather forecasting and climate modelling infrastructure, and the development of national alert protocols to strengthen the dissemination of weather forecasts and disaster warnings.
These investments are improving access to real-time climate information, strengthening disaster preparedness, supporting climate adaptation planning and enabling communities to take timely action to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events.
Italian Ambassador to Eswatini, His Excellency Mr Gabriele Annis, delivers remarks at the event.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
Government reaffirms commitment to renewable energy
Accepting the completed projects on behalf of the Government of Eswatini, the Acting Prime Minister, who is the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Thulisile Dladla, said he is convinced that Eswatini will double the share of renewable energy to 50 percent in the national energy mix by 2030, relative to 2010 levels, through the adoption of renewable energy sources available in the country, as pledged in national policies.
She added that climate change is the defining challenge of our time but also presents an opportunity to reimagine development, build resilience and inspire hope.
“In all Eswatini’s Strategic Documents, including the recently adopted third iteration of Eswatini’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0); the Government has prioritized climate change as a development concern,” she said, adding: “With Italy as our partner, we are confident that Eswatini will rise to this challenge and lead with courage, wisdom and unity.”
Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Thulisile Dladla, delivers her keynote address.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
Italy celebrates growing partnership
Speaking during the ceremony, Italian Ambassador to Eswatini, His Excellency Gabriele Annis, said the projects demonstrate that climate action, improved healthcare delivery and economic efficiency can advance together.
“It demonstrates that green investment is not only good for the environment but also good for public services, communities and national resilience and also good and excellent for business,” he said.
The projects reflect the longstanding partnership between Italy and Eswatini in promoting climate resilience, clean energy, environmental sustainability and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The partnership was further strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2025, creating new opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, climate resilience and environmental management.
Representing the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Mr Jacopo Betti said the success of the two projects had laid a strong foundation for future cooperation between the two countries.
“Today’s inauguration is therefore not the end of a journey but the beginning of a new chapter in the partnership between Italy in Eswatini,” he said.
Representative the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Mr Jacopo Betti.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
Building national capacity for long-term sustainability
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Hon. S'khumbuzo Dlamini, said the partnership had also delivered important benefits through skills transfer and capacity building for personnel across government institutions.
“I have consistently encouraged the beneficiary institutions to develop workable sustainability plans to be able to handle these highly technical infrastructures,” she said.
UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Henrik Franklin, delivering his remarks.
UNDP Eswatini/Mantoe Phakathi
UNDP Representative Henrik Franklin commended both governments for their leadership and commitment to sustainable development, noting that the projects demonstrate Eswatini's growing ambition to invest in renewable energy and climate preparedness while delivering tangible benefits for institutions, communities and citizens.
“The handover today is not simply about infrastructure or equipment. It is about ensuring that these investments are owned, maintained and used over time,” he said, adding: “It is about building institutional capacity, strengthening national systems, and ensuring that the benefits continue long after the project period has ended.”
As Eswatini advances its renewable energy and climate resilience agenda, the projects provide a strong foundation for future collaboration between the Government of Eswatini, the Government of Italy and UNDP in accelerating sustainable development and building a more resilient future for all.