BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – What was once an ambitious vision drawn on paper is steadily rising from the ground at the former Manzini Golf Course, where construction of the more than E4 billion Manzini Arch Development has entered its early stages.
For residents, job seekers and businesses in Eswatini’s commercial hub, the movement of construction activity on the approximately 28-hectare site signals much more than the arrival of another building project.
It marks the beginning of a major transformation expected to bring jobs, modern government services, retail opportunities, hospitality facilities and residential development to the heart of Manzini.
More than 1200 employment opportunities are expected to be created during the first stages of construction, offering an immediate economic boost as the multi-billion Emalangeni development begins taking physical shape.
The Manzini Arch Development, being undertaken by African Alliance, is one of the country’s most ambitious urban development projects and is expected to reshape the face of Manzini over the next five to six years.
The development was officially launched through a sod-cutting ceremony officiated by His Majesty King Mswati III on May 26, 2023.
Almost three years later, the project has moved beyond ceremonial beginnings and architectural plans, with contractors now on site.
The project formally entered its implementation phase on March 18, 2026, when the construction site was handed over to J&E Construction.
Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said the first stages alone were expected to open doors for more than 1200 people.
“This project is expected to create over 1200 employment opportunities during its first stages,” Khumalo said during the official site handover.
The employment opportunities are particularly significant because large construction projects do not only create jobs for builders and engineers. They can also stimulate demand for transport, food, accommodation, building materials and other services supplied by local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The early phase of the Manzini Arch Development is valued at between E1.4 billion and E1.6 billion, underlining the scale of investment already being channelled into the project.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF
One of the centrepieces of the development will be The Jewel, a modern multi-storey facility designed to bring critical government services together under one roof.
For members of the public who currently have to move between different offices to access government services, the development could bring greater convenience by creating a central point where several essential services can be accessed.
The facility forms part of a broader plan to modernise infrastructure while making Manzini an increasingly attractive destination for investment, business and service delivery.
HOTEL, SHOPPING AND MODERN LIVING
The Manzini Arch will extend far beyond government offices.
Plans include a modern hotel with approximately 150 rooms, shopping complexes, retail areas and other commercial facilities aimed at injecting fresh economic activity into the city.
The development is also expected to introduce Manzini’s first KFC drive-thru, adding to the expanding retail and hospitality offering planned for the precinct.
A residential park featuring contemporary urban living, green infrastructure and public spaces is also part of the wider vision.
Taken together, the different components are expected to create an integrated precinct where people can work, access services, shop, stay and live within one major development.
For Manzini, a city already regarded as Eswatini’s commercial heartbeat, the project could further strengthen its position as a centre for business and investment.
FIVE TO SIX YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT
The full Manzini Arch Development is expected to be implemented over approximately five to six years, placing projected completion between 2031 and 2032.
This means the economic impact of the project could continue to unfold in stages as additional components are constructed and businesses begin operating from the development.
Construction employment is expected to be followed by longer-term opportunities created by shops, hospitality facilities, government services, property management and other commercial activities expected to operate within the precinct.
The project also forms part of African Alliance’s wider investment plans for Eswatini.
The company has indicated that it intends to roll out investments worth more than E5 billion over the next three years, potentially creating more than 2000 employment opportunities for EmaSwati.
African Alliance Partner and Director Sthofeni Ginindza has also previously spoken about plans for other developments, including a futuristic mall in Nhlangano.
For now, however, attention is firmly on Manzini, where machinery, workers and construction activity are beginning to give physical form to a development that has been anticipated since 2023.
For a young person looking for employment, a small business hoping to supply goods or services, an investor searching for opportunities or a resident seeking easier access to government services, the Manzini Arch carries different possibilities.
And as construction gains momentum, the sprawling former golf course is steadily being transformed into what could become one of the most recognisable modern developments in Eswatini.
With more than E4 billion in planned investment, over 1200 jobs expected during the early stages and a mix of government, commercial, hospitality and residential infrastructure, the Manzini Arch Development is positioning itself as an important new chapter in the growth of Eswatini’s commercial capital.
