Eswatini is set to host the African Union Inaugural Africa Seed Summit from 5 to 7 October 2026 at Ezulwini Palazzo.
The Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka announced the summit during a press briefing on Monday. He said the meeting comes as government continues to prioritize increased local seed production and reduced dependence on external seed sources.
Tshawuka said the summit will convene agriculture ministers, seed industry players, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss investment, regulation, access to quality seed and the development of resilient seed systems across Africa. 
“The summit will bring together agriculture ministers, seed industry players, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss investment, regulation, quality seed access and resilient seed systems across Africa,” he said.
According to the Minister Tshawuka , discussions will focus on certified quality seed access, financing for seed development, regulatory harmonization and strengthening seed systems to respond to climate shocks.
Tshawuka said reliable access to quality seed is a foundation for productivity, food security and profitable crop production.
“Farmers cannot produce consistently if they do not have timely access to quality seed that is suited to local conditions,” he said.
“This summit gives us an opportunity to learn from other African countries, attract investment and strengthen our own seed multiplication systems,” Tshawuka added.
He said Eswatini is currently working to increase the volume of locally produced seed and to provide farmers with more options in the market.
Tshawuka called on the corporate sector, businesses and other stakeholders to provide financial support towards hosting the summit.
A support meeting and pledge handover has been scheduled for Monday, 21 September 2026 at Happy Valley Hotel. Businesses will be invited to make contributions towards the event.
“We are calling on the corporate sector to come on board. This is not just a government event.
It is an opportunity for Eswatini to showcase its potential in agriculture and to position local businesses within the broader African seed value chain,” Tshawuka said.
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Sydney Simelane said hosting the inaugural summit places Eswatini in a convening role on an input that directly affects agricultural production.
He said that the AU is using the summit to address challenges in Africa’s seed sector, including limited investment, weak regulatory frameworks and farmers’ access to certified seed.
Simelane stated the objective is to translate continental discussions into local action.
This includes benchmarking against other African seed systems, attracting partnerships for research and multiplication and strengthening institutions responsible for seed certification and regulation.
Tshawuka said the impact of the summit will be measured by outcomes after October.
“The bigger question for Eswatini will be how hosting this continental meeting can translate into investment, stronger local seed production and better access to quality seed for farmers,” he said.
The minister noted that resilient seed systems are critical amid climate variability. Access to drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and early-maturing varieties is expected to help farmers manage risk and stabilize yields.
The summit is expected to produce recommendations on policy, investment and regional cooperation for implementation by member states.
Eswatini has in recent years supported local seed growers and collaborated with research institutions to test and release varieties adapted to local agro-ecological zones.
Tshawuka said the Ministry will use the summit to highlight these initiatives and to identify areas requiring support.
“We want farmers to benefit, not just from conversations, but from real improvements in the availability and affordability of quality seed,” he said.
