Ezulwini – His Majesty King Mswati III on Saturday officially opened the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Ezulwini, naming the landmark facility Ezulwini Palazzo in a ceremony held as part of the 40/58 Double Celebration marking His Majesty’s 40 years on the Throne and His 58th Birthday.
The opening brought together regional heads of state, dignitaries and distinguished guests from across the world, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini of the Zulu Nation, Taiwan Foreign Minister Dr Lin Chia-lung, former Botswana President Ian Khama, former South African President Jacob Zuma and former Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila.
Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Presiding Officers of Parliament, Members of Parliament and Members of the Diplomatic Corps were also in attendance. 
His Majesty announced that Ezulwini Palazzo would be operated by Palazzo Hospitality, a Dubai-based luxury hospitality management company founded in 2019 and best known for managing Palazzo Versace Dubai, one of the most sought-after ultra-luxury properties in the UAE. The company was established to manage luxury hotels, residential properties and lifestyle brands, with a mission to reinvent the world of personalised luxury. With Africa among its preferred regions for global expansion, the appointment marks a significant entry point for the brand onto the continent.
His Majesty said Palazzo Hospitality had already been tested through the opening event itself and had demonstrated the standard expected, delivering an ambience comparable to Dubai and giving guests a world-class experience at the Kingdom’s doorstep.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, in his opening remarks, paid tribute to His Majesty’s leadership and foresight in driving the development.
“After having seen the splendour of this building that we are enjoying and officially inaugurating tonight, it is fitting that His Majesty, the architect of this beautiful building, should deliver remarks and share with the nation and distinguished guests how He came to bear the vision of this place,” the Prime Minister said.
The evening began with a guided tour of the facility led by Inyatsi Group Chairman Michelo Shakantu, whom His Majesty affectionately referred to as “Shabangu” in recognition of his role in leading the project. The tour took His Majesty and guests through the ICC’s state-of-the-art spaces, including modern dining halls, fully equipped conference rooms, a 200-seater meeting space and a world-class theatre designed for productions of international standard. A gala dinner followed, featuring performances by local and international entertainers including Nigerian-American Afrobeats superstar Davido (David Adedeji Adeleke).
In His address, His Majesty said the facility was the fulfilment of a national vision born in the early 2000s, when Eswatini began working towards developing a world-class convention and hospitality hub capable of placing the Kingdom on the global map.
“The great work that you have seen today is a result of a lot of cooperation and contributions from various sectors and stakeholders, which has resulted in this marvellous work of art,” His Majesty said.
The King reflected on lessons drawn from visits to Nevada in the United States, where world-class hospitality infrastructure had demonstrated extraordinary economic power, noting that even on a difficult day, a single major facility could generate approximately US$2 million in a single hour. His Majesty said such examples reinforced why nations must invest boldly in infrastructure capable of attracting visitors, generating sustained revenue and transforming economies over time.
His Majesty also placed strong emphasis on a raffle initiative designed to raise additional capital towards the completion of the hotel component of Ezulwini Palazzo. Raffle tickets are valued at E200,000 each, and His Majesty encouraged participants to view their purchase not merely as a chance to win, but as a direct contribution to a national investment. Major prizes include luxury vehicles displayed during the opening, among them Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini models.
His Majesty explained that the ICC section had been officially opened to begin generating revenue immediately, while construction on the hotel component would continue, a phased approach designed to keep the development financially self-sustaining.
The King also extended special appreciation to the Government and people of Taiwan for their support, noting that Taiwan’s Foreign Minister was present at the opening. He acknowledged the Government of Eswatini, the architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, project managers and all teams who helped translate the vision into reality, as well as HRH Prince Mcwasho for his role in supporting the project.
On naming the facility, His Majesty said the moment was akin to christening a child, with the name needing to reflect the place where it was born. He noted that Ezulwini carries deep historical and spiritual meaning, translating as “heaven” in siSwati, and pointed to the area’s royal heritage and its place in international diplomacy through the Ezulwini Consensus, recognised within United Nations reform discussions.
Declaring the facility open, His Majesty said the gates were now open and organisations wishing to host meetings and events could proceed, with Ezulwini Palazzo ready to receive the world.
