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# Eswatini

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Learn More								U.S. Relationship																									These are excerpts from the U.S. Relations With Eswatini																			-  												U.S.-Eswatini Relations											 
-  												U.S. Assistance to Eswatini											 
-  												Bilateral Economic Relations											 
													U.S.-Eswatini Relations													The United States and Eswatini have enjoyed good bilateral relations since Eswatini’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1968 and its initial establishment as a constitutional monarchy under King Sobhuza II.  In 2005, under King Mswati III, the country implemented a new constitution and now calls itself a “monarchical democracy.”  In reality, political power remains almost entirely vestedThe United States and Eswatini have enjoyed good bilateral relations since Eswatini’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1968 and its initial establishment as a constitutional monarchy under King Sobhuza II.  In 2005, under King Mswati III, the country implemented a new constitution and now calls itself a “monarchical democracy.”  In reality, political power remains almost entirely vested with the king and traditional structures.  King Mswati III and Queen Mother Ntombi, the king’s mother, rule as co-monarchs and exercise ultimate authority over the cabinet, legislature, and judiciary.  Governmental structures include a cabinet led by a prime minister (who is appointed by the king), a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and House of Assembly, and a dualistic judicial system, with both constitutional and traditional courts.  U.S. policy seeks to maintain and strengthen bilateral relations and stresses Eswatini’s need for continued political and economic reform.  Eswatini is the last country in Africa to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.   Collapse U.S.-Eswatini Relations															Read more about U.S.-Eswatini Relations																												U.S. Assistance to Eswatini													Eswatini ranks as a lower-middle income country, but the World Bank estimates that 58.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line.  The U.S. Government supports: health promotion and health systems; strengthening transparent and accountable governance and the rule of law; protection and promotion of human rights; increased economic inclusion and empowerment; entrepreneurship; youth development and education; securityEswatini ranks as a lower-middle income country, but the World Bank estimates that 58.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line.  The U.S. Government supports: health promotion and health systems; strengthening transparent and accountable governance and the rule of law; protection and promotion of human rights; increased economic inclusion and empowerment; entrepreneurship; youth development and education; security sector capacity-building; climate adaptation and resilience; and trade promotion in Eswatini.Collapse U.S. Assistance to Eswatini															Read more about U.S. Assistance to Eswatini																												Bilateral Economic Relations													Eswatini is a small country (slightly smaller than New Jersey) with a population of 1.2 million and a market heavily dependent on international trade.  In January 2018, Eswatini regained eligibility for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after enacting legislation and reforms related to freedom of assembly, association, and expression, as well as internationallyEswatini is a small country (slightly smaller than New Jersey) with a population of 1.2 million and a market heavily dependent on international trade.  In January 2018, Eswatini regained eligibility for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after enacting legislation and reforms related to freedom of assembly, association, and expression, as well as internationally accepted workers’ rights.  Eswatini is currently a member state of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA – 639 million people), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC – 389 million people), and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU – 69 million people), which signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) with the United States.  TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues, with a special focus on customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and trade and investment promotion.  The country also benefits from its quota of sugar that may be imported to the U.S. at the preferential in-quota tariff.  Several U.S. companies operate in Eswatini, including Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, and Mondelez.Collapse Bilateral Economic Relations															Read more about Bilateral Economic Relations															Download Eswatini Strategy							 [829 KB]Discover More2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices2022 Report on International Religious Freedom2023 Trafficking in Persons Report
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COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries
Since July, 2021 the United States has donated **500,640** safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Eswatini. This includes 201,240 Pfizer and 302,400 J&J doses. Of the 500,640 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX.

The United States is committed to leading an international and coordinated effort to accelerate access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to meet global needs. The United States is working with other governments and partners including COVAX, Caricom, and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to protect communities from COVID-19 and apply lessons from this pandemic to enhance health security now and in the future.

Learn more about our work Delivering Vaccines and on COVID-19 Recovery.
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Eswatini National Day
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