Eswatini Facts

History and Heritage

The Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is located at the southern tip of Africa. The country has a beautiful natural environment and a population whose lifestyles respect traditional culture. Eswatini is a democratic monarchy whose current Head of State is His Majesty King Mswati III, who ascended the throne on 25 April 1986. Eswatini operates on a dual system politically and legally. Traditional institutions, Western methods of modern governance, and Roman-Dutch common Law make up the governance system of Eswatini.

The cheerful, friendly Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their daily lives. Colourful ceremonies are held every year to celebrate these traditions.

Key Facts

Population

1,210,822 Million (2023)

Official language

Siswati, English

Surface area size

17,383 Km squared

Currency

The Swazi Lilangeni (SZL) E1 = 0.057 USD = 8.54 JPY

GDP Growth rate (2023)

4,8%

GDP per capita (USD, 2023)

11,740

Population growth (2024)

1.00%

Capital City

Mbabane

Driving orientation

Left Side

Time zone

UTC+2

Key Milestones

  • World Bank ease of Doing Business: No.1 in trading across borders in Africa.
  • 5th largest producer of sugar in Africa (2021).
  • CNN Top 25 Destinations to Visit in 2025: Sibebe Rock.
  • Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023: Ngwenya Glass.
  • Best Urban Development NDC Investment.
  • Award Initiative 2022.
  • Lonely Planet Top 10 Countries for 2020: listed No. 5
  • Largest man-made forest in Southern Africa.
  • Oldest mine in the world: Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine.

ADDRESS

Eswatini in Japan Expo 2025,
Osaka, Japan, Eswatini Pavilion