BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE — Eswatini’s economy is building momentum for the final quarter of 2026 after recording 6.5% second-quarter GDP growth, with major projects in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and digital development driving economic activity across the country and creating opportunities for further growth before year-end.
Economist Sanele Sibiya, speaking on the Kusile Breakfast Show, said Eswatini was entering the final quarter with positive economic momentum, supported largely by major development projects.
Sibiya said the country was projected to be among Africa’s fastest-growing economies this year, with the second-quarter performance reflecting increased economic activity.
“Most of our growth for this year will be supported by those mega projects that we are seeing coming through,” Sibiya said.
PROJECTS DRIVE ACTIVITY
Sibiya said Eswatini’s development pipeline presented opportunities to sustain economic activity during the final quarter and beyond.
The pipeline includes roads, water infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and digital infrastructure, with progress already visible in road construction and the development of factories across the country.
He said several projects being driven by the private sector were also showing tangible progress, adding to economic activity and creating opportunities for businesses involved in construction, manufacturing and related services.
Sibiya said continued investment in these areas could support Eswatini’s efforts to diversify its economy.
Q4 OFFERS IMPLEMENTATION OPPORTUNITY
With some projects already progressing and others moving towards implementation, Sibiya said the final quarter provided an opportunity to turn more development plans into tangible projects.
He said timely implementation would be important in ensuring that projects deliver their intended economic benefits and contribute to employment and business opportunities.
“We need to ensure that we are delivering those projects on time, and that we are creating those jobs,” Sibiya said.
He noted that some projects, particularly in digital infrastructure, were still moving through financing and implementation stages, while other projects were already showing visible progress.
INVESTMENT CREATES JOBS
Sibiya said major infrastructure and construction projects could create employment opportunities for Emaswati, particularly during their implementation stages.
He explained that employment numbers attached to projects could change depending on the stage of construction, as different phases require different skills and numbers of workers.
He said the focus should therefore be on ensuring that investment translates into opportunities for local communities and businesses as projects progress.
ENERGY SUPPORTS INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
Sibiya also highlighted energy as an important part of Eswatini’s development ambitions, particularly as the country seeks to support manufacturers and attract investment.
He said increasing domestic energy production through public-private investment could strengthen the country’s productive capacity and create a more reliable environment for businesses.
Opportunities in solar, biomass and other energy sources could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy while supporting industrial development.
Sibiya said a stronger domestic energy base would also contribute to creating a more investor-friendly environment.
GROWTH NEEDS TO BE SUSTAINED
Despite the positive economic momentum, Sibiya said Eswatini would need to manage public debt and unemployment while sustaining growth.
He said the country needed to ensure that development remained financially sustainable and that economic expansion continued to generate opportunities for the population.
For the final quarter, Sibiya’s outlook places emphasis on moving projects forward, attracting investment and ensuring that ongoing development translates into economic activity and employment.
With 6.5% growth recorded in the second quarter and major projects continuing across several sectors, the final quarter provides an opportunity for Eswatini to build on the economic momentum already recorded in 2026.
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(Courtesy Pic)
