BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its support for Eswatini’s infrastructure and governance reforms through two critical missions undertaken between August and September 2025.
From 26 August to 5 September 2025, an AfDB delegation visited the Kingdom to prepare the Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme Phase I Part B (MNWAP-1b) Supplementary Loan Project. The project aims to improve water supply systems and enhance agricultural productivity in the southern parts of the country.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the Bank had previously approved Component 1a in 2021 and Component 1b in 2022, and has now been requested to provide supplementary financing for Component 1b. This additional funding will specifically target the secondary water distribution systems serving the Mconcwane and St. Philips areas, while the Maloma 1 and 2 zones are being financed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
During the mission, AfDB experts reviewed the project’s technical details, environmental and social safeguards, climate resilience considerations, and readiness for implementation. The team also conducted field inspections across the downstream development areas, including sites earmarked for crop production to support value chain development.
The mission expressed satisfaction with the data collected and confirmed that an action plan for environmental and social activities had been agreed upon to ensure smooth project execution. The supplementary loan proposal is expected to be presented to the AfDB Board in the first quarter of 2026, following an appraisal mission scheduled for November 2025.
In a separate engagement, the AfDB conducted another mission between 9–10 September 2025 to launch the Support to Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms Project and to review progress under the State-Owned Enterprises Reform (SOER) Project.
The PFM project seeks to strengthen fiscal governance, enhance transparency, and modernize Eswatini’s financial systems. Discussions also included the Government’s request to extend the SOER project to November 2026 to complete outstanding deliverables.
The mission outlined the responsibilities of the Project Implementing Unit (PIU), including monitoring, reporting, and submission of quarterly progress reports aligned with the annual work plan.
Both missions underline the AfDB’s continued commitment to Eswatini’s sustainable development, infrastructure expansion, and economic governance reforms.
The two AfDB missions form part of Eswatini’s broader effort to advance its post-COVID recovery plan and long-term vision for sustainable development and food security. The MNWAP project supports the country’s agricultural transformation by improving irrigation and water access, directly contributing to the goals outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) and Vision 2022.
Meanwhile, reforms in public financial management and state-owned enterprises are critical to building investor confidence and ensuring fiscal sustainability. Together, these initiatives position Eswatini to achieve stronger economic governance, inclusive growth, and enhanced resilience to climate and financial shocks.
Courtesy Pic)
