Eswatini advances electric mobility ambitions
By Siphesihle Dlamini
Aimed towards sustainable transport transformation, His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela, Minister for Natural Resources and Energy recently led a high-level delegation to India to explore best practices in electric mobility policy and implementation.
This visit marks a pivotal milestone in Eswatini’s ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive National Mobility Policy aimed at fostering sustainable development and enhancing climate resilience.
The benchmarking exercise was facilitated by expert consultants Fichtner Engineers (India) and Computronics Systems (Eswatini), whose collaboration underscores the technical rigour behind this knowledge exchange initiative.
The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with key Indian government agencies and industry leaders who are at the forefront of electric mobility innovation.
Upon arrival, the Eswatini delegation received a warm and official welcome from the Commissioner of the Delhi Transport Department and her team.
The Commissioner highlighted India’s ambitious strides in transforming its transport sector through electrification and clean energy integration.
His Royal Highness expressed sincere gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Government of India and acknowledged the country’s pioneering role in electric mobility.
He reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to adopting cleaner, greener, and more inclusive transport solutions tailored to the nation’s unique context.
One of the key engagements was with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a government-owned enterprise operating under India’s Ministry of Power.
CESL shared valuable insights into its innovative bulk procurement model for electric buses, a strategy that has successfully facilitated large-scale deployment of electric vehicles in India and enabled exports to countries such as Mauritius. This model leverages economies of scale to reduce costs and accelerate adoption, serving as a replicable framework for Eswatini’s ambitions.
CESL also advised the Eswatini delegation to prepare for a significant increase in electricity demand as the country transitions to electric mobility.
The company emphasised the importance of integrating renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, to sustainably meet this demand and reduce the carbon footprint of the transport sector.
Further enriching the visit, HRH Prince Lonkhokhela held discussions with the Additional Secretary at India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries. These talks delved into India’s advancements in clean transport innovations beyond electric vehicles, including hydrogen and ethanol-powered trains.
Such technologies represent the next frontier in decarbonising transport and offer promising avenues for Eswatini to explore as part of its broader sustainable mobility strategy.
This comprehensive benchmarking exercise exemplifies Eswatini’s proactive approach to learning from global leaders and adapting international best practices to local realities.
The knowledge and insights gained will directly inform the drafting and implementation of a robust National Mobility Policy that aligns with Eswatini’s sustainable development goals and climate commitments.
By prioritising electric mobility and clean transport technologies, Eswatini aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance accessibility to transportation services for all citizens.
The policy will also consider infrastructure development, energy integration, and regulatory frameworks necessary to support a successful transition.
Eswatini’s engagement with India’s electric mobility ecosystem signals a strong commitment to embracing innovation and sustainability in its transport sector.
The collaboration between government entities, technical consultants, and international partners lays a solid foundation for the country’s journey toward a cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive mobility future.
