By Nontokozo Gwebu
Eswatini Bank and the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA) are positioning themselves as enablers of green finance access.
This transpired during a high-impact engagement workshop hosted by Business Eswatini (BE). The workshop brought together private-sector leaders, financial institutions, and policymakers to explore pathways to unlocking capital from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), as described on its official website, is the world’s largest climate finance mechanism, dedicated to helping developing countries take bold climate action. The Fund plays a central role in supporting climate-resilient development.
The session centered on building local capacity to attract climate-smart investments and fast-track Eswatini’s transition to a low-carbon economy, and also served as a platform for high-level dialogue, where stakeholders unpacked Eswatini’s readiness to tap into climate finance opportunities.
Dr. Lindani Mavimbela, representing the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlighted the importance of strengthening national fiduciary systems.
“Through our partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, we’re supporting the EEA and Eswatini Bank to meet GCF standards. This is about creating jobs, financing green development, and delivering on Eswatini’s climate goals,” he said.
Eswatini Bank, currently pursuing GCF Direct Access accreditation, showcased its pipeline of innovative financing models. Nozipho Mziyako outlined blended finance instruments such as concessional loans, performance-based grants, and partial guarantees that are aimed at attracting private capital for renewable energy, green infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture.
“Our readiness aligns with inclusive growth and climate resilience,” said Mziyako. “This accreditation is not just for the bank. It’s a national milestone. We welcome collaboration with other financial institutions to strengthen impact.”
Mfundo Langwenya, representing the EEA, emphasized the Authority’s dual role: enforcing environmental compliance and managing the Eswatini Environment Fund (EEF), its grant-making arm.
The Fund prioritizes projects aligned with Eswatini’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), targeting both mitigation, such as renewable energy, clean transport, and adaptation.
Musa Maseko, Head of Trade & Commerce at Business Eswatini, closed the session with a strong message to the private sector: “Our businesses must step forward not as spectators, but as drivers of Eswatini’s sustainable future.”
He affirmed that this workshop was part of a broader sustainability agenda that BE will unveil in the coming weeks, and urged enterprises to begin identifying pipeline projects aligned with NDC priorities and green funding opportunities.