H.E Moses Vilakati

His Excellency, Mr. Moses Vilakati, an eSwatini national with over 30 years’ experience in agriculture, development, environmental conversations, climate change and sustainable tourism. Prior to his election in 2025 as African Union Commissioner, H.E Vilakati has been Minister for 10 years in succession, in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Tourism and environmental affairs, respectively. During his tenure at the Ministry several policies and strategies were implemented during this period.
The key strategies included the introduction of input subsidy to farmers , intensifying the dairy industry, expansion of high value agricultural production, particularly in rural areas, introducing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the conservation of the country’s wetlands, implementation of the Big 5 Conservation area, aggressive afforestation policies and the Promulgation of the Bio Safety Act of 2013 introducing Genetically Modified cotton seeds increasing yields in the country.
Through his innovative inception of the “Phatsa Sakho (Carry Your Own Shopping Bag)” initiative, he introduced the Control of Plastic Bags Regulations Act of 2019 which would essentially ban the use of single use plastics. Some of the policies developed were veterinary public health for safety of consumers as well as pesticides management for regulating the use of chemicals.
H.E Vilakati has served on numerous boards, as non-executive Chairman and Board member. He previously worked and lectured at the University of Eswatini in Agribusiness Development and Management. He holds a Master of Science in Agriculture specializing in International Agricultural Development from California Polytechnic State University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Eswatini.