TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — More than 40 political figures from a dozen African countries have welcomed President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) upcoming visit to Eswatini, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said Monday the support demonstrates that the “Taiwan model” and cooperation with Eswatini align with Africa’s transformation needs, per CNA. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Taiwan has six representative offices in five African countries, and Somaliland maintains what he described as a quasi-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.
According to the ministry, Lai will lead a delegation to visit Eswatini on Wednesday. Ahead of the trip, political figures from 11 African countries in addition to Eswatini have expressed a warm welcome through letters, social media posts, and messages, while voicing support for Taiwan’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and efforts to build industrial resilience in Africa.
The ministry said the officials expressing support come from across sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Somaliland, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Somaliland’s foreign ministry also posted an official welcome on social media on behalf of its government.
It said the cross-regional and cross-party support reflects recognition of Taiwan’s reciprocal development model that emphasizes capacity-building over aid, as well as cooperation with Eswatini in areas such as the economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, and public health.
The ministry said Lai’s visit will demonstrate Taiwan’s emphasis on its allies and African affairs, deepen ties with leaders and political figures from across the region, and inject new momentum into Taiwan-Africa relations.
