Key Facts
• On April 13, Taiwan Presidential Office announced President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini from April 22 to 27.
• Eswatini is the only African country among Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic partners.
• The visit includes participation in King Mswati III’s 40th anniversary celebration.
• This is Lai’s second foreign trip after November-December 2024 visits to Hawaii, Guam, and three South Pacific countries.
• The last Taiwan presidential visit to Eswatini was by President Tsai Ing-wen in September 2023.
• Lai’s visit will be direct, with no stopovers.
• Taiwan and Eswatini will jointly promote oil reserve tank construction.
• Cooperation will deepen in remote medical care using Taiwan’s leading semiconductor and ICT technologies.
Summary
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit Eswatini, Africa’s only diplomatic partner of Taiwan, from April 22 to 27. The visit marks participation in King Mswati III’s 40th anniversary on the throne and follows Lai’s previous 2024 trip to the Pacific region. Unlike the last visit by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2023, Lai’s trip will be direct without stopovers. The Taiwanese government announced plans to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including joint oil reserve infrastructure and the introduction of remote healthcare services leveraging Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor and information communication technology capabilities. This visit underscores Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its unique diplomatic ties in Africa.
