Moses VILAKATI

His Excellency Mr. Moses Vilakati, a distinguished national of the Kingdom of Eswatini, brings over three decades of leadership and expertise in agriculture, sustainable development, environmental conservation, climate resilience, and eco-tourism. In 2025, he was elected as the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, where he continues to champion transformative policies across the continent.

Prior to his appointment at the African Union Commission, H.E. Vilakati served for a decade as a Cabinet Minister in Eswatini, leading both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. His tenure was marked by the formulation and implementation of impactful national strategies, including:

• Introduction of input subsidy programs to empower smallholder farmers.
• Expansion of high-value agricultural production, particularly in rural communities.
• Strengthening of the dairy sector and promotion of agribusiness.
• Launch of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for wetland conservation.
• Establishment of the Big 5 Conservation Area and aggressive afforestation initiatives.
• Enactment of the Bio-Safety Act of 2013, facilitating the adoption of genetically modified cotton to boost national yields.
• Pioneering the “Phatsa Sakho” initiative, which led to the Control of Plastic Bags Regulations Act of 2019, significantly reducing single-use plastics.

He also spearheaded critical regulatory frameworks in veterinary public health and pesticide management, ensuring consumer safety and environmental protection.

Beyond his ministerial roles, H.E. Vilakati has served on numerous boards as a non-executive chairman and board member, contributing strategic oversight and governance. He has also held academic positions, lecturing in Agribusiness Development and Management at the University of Eswatini.

He holds a Master of Science in Agriculture with a specialization in International Agricultural Development from California Polytechnic State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Eswatini.