HIS Majesty King Mswati III has hosted prominent Zimbabwean businessman, investor, billionaire philanthropist and renewable energy developer Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo at Lozitha Royal Residence.
Discussions between the king and businessman centred on investment, infrastructure development and renewable energy opportunities within the kingdom, as revealed in a government statement.
In recognition of Chivayo’s philanthropic contributions in Zimbabwe and across the African continent, as well as his commitment to supporting socio-economic development initiatives within the kingdom, His Majesty granted him Eswatini citizenship and presented him with a diplomatic passport.
The king further welcomed Chivayo’s interest in supporting the country’s development agenda through strategic private-sector investment and renewable energy development.
During the engagement, Chivayo expressed his appreciation to His Majesty for the honour bestowed upon him through the granting of Eswatini citizenship and the presentation of a diplomatic passport.
As a demonstration of his commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda, Chivayo undertook, through his company, Intratrek Holdings, headquartered in Mauritius, to invest E3 billion towards the development of a 300MW solar project in the country as an independent power producer (IPP).
The project will be developed on 120 hectares of land made available by His Majesty.
The initiative is also expected to contribute significantly towards enhancing the country’s energy security while supporting long-term industrial and economic growth.
Chivayo, whose visit to Eswatini was facilitated by Prince Lindani, is a prominent businessman, philanthropist and humanitarian with interests spanning renewable energy, thermal and hydro power generation, infrastructure development, engineering, road construction and other development projects across the African continent.
Over the past year alone, he has committed in excess of US$200 million (around E3 billion) towards various humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives benefiting communities in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa.
“His Majesty the King and the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini welcome strategic private-sector investment of this nature, which is expected to contribute to economic growth, employment creation, infrastructure development and the strengthening of the kingdom’s bilateral trade relations,” government stated.
