Energy & Infrastructure: Eswatini’s Taiwan-linked plan to build the Phuzumoya Strategic Oil Reserve—an 80-million-litre petrol/diesel stockpile—raises big questions about affordability and who benefits as unemployment and poverty bite. Health Research: The Thanzi Programme’s new grant will expand health systems research and capacity-building into Namibia and Zambia, strengthening work on universal health coverage and policy use, with Eswatini among the ongoing partners. Digital Skills & Community Tech: Tsing Hua University’s International Volunteer Program marks 20 years, sending teams to Eswatini to support a girls’ shelter and digital education, plus computer classroom work across Africa. Biometrics & Secure IDs: Turkmenistan’s Aýdyň Gijeler says it will help produce Eswatini national ID cards and biometric passports using a secure chip platform, with land allocated for local production. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology lessons to Pretoria learners, aiming to spark STEM careers. Climate Adaptation Funding: A $30m initiative approved for Southern Africa will route climate adaptation support to local groups in Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe from 2027–2032. Governance & Rights: Afrobarometer finds support for media freedom and organising is high, but perceived freedom of speech is shrinking—Eswatini scores particularly low. Work & AI: The UN labour agency says AI gains must reach workers through fair wages and stronger protections.