The First Emirati Woman Appointed as Advisor to the King and Kingdom of Eswatini

King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has issued a decree appointing Emirati entrepreneur Fatima Obaid Al Kaabi as a Special Advisor to the king and the kingdom in the fields of investment, commerce, and economics. With this appointment, Al Kaabi becomes the first Emirati woman to hold a special advisory position in Africa.

Under the appointment, Al Kaabi is granted comprehensive and absolute authority to develop Eswatini in these specified areas. Her role includes establishing investment agreements and diverse partnerships, discussing international relations, and promoting economic growth through creating opportunities for investment and trade. She will work to attract local and foreign investors by showcasing the country’s resources, infrastructure, market potential, and by facilitating agreements and managing international investment meetings.

The Emirati entrepreneur expressed that the global recognition of Emirati women is due to the wise leadership of the UAE, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. She emphasized their dedication to empowering women across all fields, inspiring creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.

She added that her responsibilities in Eswatini and the trust bestowed upon her instil a deep sense of responsibility towards her country, as she represents Emirati women, reflecting the UAE’s achievements and the wisdom of its leadership in fostering a well-rounded and capable generation ready to elevate the country’s global standing.

Al Kaabi highlighted that foreign investment presents an opportunity to give back to her nation and its visionary leadership, which has instilled in her the principles of good citizenship, smart investment, and constant pursuit of excellence. She noted that national companies will be involved in some of the upcoming projects in Eswatini.