Taiwan is pushing to expand business ties with Eswatini, its last African ally — good news for Taiwanese firms looking for a foothold on the continent and for Taiwan's shrinking circle of diplomatic partners.

• President Lai Ching-te asked Taiwanese companies to invest in Eswatini and use it as a base to reach African markets.
• King Mswati III visited Taipei ahead of Taiwan's national day celebrations and the two sides signed a deal on cooperation in criminal justice.
• Lai thanked Eswatini for backing Taiwan at the United Nations, including its call for the world to stop misreading the UN resolution China uses to exclude Taiwan.
• Lai said outside pressure stopped him from attending the king's 40th-anniversary celebration in April; Eswatini sent a special plane so his May visit could go ahead.
• Mswati wants Eswatini to learn from Taiwan's industry and technology and pass that experience to other African countries, and says peace and rule of law are what attract investment.

Outlook: Expect more trade and investment talks, with Eswatini's queen mother expected in Taiwan early next year.