10/04/2026
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea — The 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), held from 27–29 March 2026 in Malabo, marked a significant milestone in strengthening the organisation’s institutional resilience and financial sustainability. Among the key figures shaping the summit’s outcomes was His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, who currently serves as the OACPS Champion for Resource Mobilisation.
In this capacity, His Majesty led high-level political engagement aimed at securing financial stability for the OACPS and ensuring the organisation remains capable of advancing the development priorities of its 79 member states across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
During the summit’s roundtable on sustainable financing, His Majesty called on member states to take collective responsibility for strengthening the organisation’s financial foundation. Addressing leaders gathered in Malabo, the King emphasised that resource mobilisation is fundamental to the OACPS’ independence and long-term credibility.
He noted that sustainable, predictable and self-directed financing is essential if the organisation is to effectively deliver on its development mandate and protect its priorities from global economic uncertainties. His Majesty further underscored that strengthening the financial base of the OACPS is closely linked to the broader aspiration of economic sovereignty among member states.
Ahead of the summit, the King personally wrote to member states encouraging them to contribute financially to the organisation and to reduce reliance on external support. This proactive diplomatic effort demonstrated Eswatini’s commitment to revitalising the institution and ensuring that member states play a central role in sustaining it.
In a strong demonstration of leadership and solidarity, the Kingdom of Eswatini pledged €1.5 million towards the OACPS resource mobilisation initiative. The contribution was announced by His Majesty during the summit’s financing discussions, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the organisation’s continued work.
Under His Majesty’s leadership, the mobilisation roundtable achieved notable success. Member states collectively committed €12.8 million, exceeding the initial target of €10 million required to stabilise the organisation’s finances and support the operations of the OACPS Secretariat. Contributions from several countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique, helped achieve this milestone.
The initiative aims not only to address immediate financial needs but also to establish a stronger culture of accountability, transparency and collective ownership among member states.
Beyond mobilising internal resources, His Majesty also emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening strategic partnerships. In his address, the King highlighted the longstanding relationship between the OACPS and the European Union, noting that the partnership has provided significant support for development initiatives across member countries.
He further called for expanded cooperation with development partners and increased engagement with the private sector to drive economic transformation, entrepreneurship and job creation throughout the OACPS regions.
Held under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,” the Malabo Summit underscored the need for unity, reform and stronger multilateral engagement as the organisation marks its 50th anniversary.
Through his leadership as Resource Mobilisation Champion, His Majesty King Mswati III has positioned the Kingdom of Eswatini at the forefront of efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the OACPS. By advocating collective responsibility and demonstrating leadership through action, the Kingdom continues to contribute meaningfully to strengthening the organisation and advancing shared development goals.
As the OACPS looks toward the future, the commitments secured in Malabo represent an important step toward building a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant partnership among its member states.
