BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE – Government officials gathered at Hilton Garden Inn for a workshop on the Development and Application of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Toolkits, aimed at strengthening Eswatini’s capacity to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently through public private collaboration.
The workshop was officially opened by the Ministry of Finance Director of Supply Chain Management, Mr. Nkululeko Dlamini, who described the event as a major milestone in the country’s reform agenda to promote transparency, accountability, and value for money in public investments.
In his opening address, Mr. Dlamini expressed gratitude to the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) for funding the initiative, the African Development Bank (AfDB) for allowing the use of the MNWAP Project as a case study, and international consultants DLA Piper for their technical guidance in developing and facilitating the PPP toolkits.
He explained that the toolkits are designed to serve as practical instruments for Ministries and public entities to prepare, appraise, and manage PPP projects more effectively. “These toolkits will help ensure that projects are implemented with fiscal responsibility and deliver tangible benefits to the people,” Dlamini said.
The existing procurement law is not considered fit for purpose for PPP projects. According to workshop discussions, the new law will introduce procedures tailored to public private partnerships, embed principles of no corruption, no bribery, and no money laundering, and clearly define the types of state support available, including subsidies, gap financing, tax exemptions, and customs relief. The law will also clarify the government’s position on sovereign guarantees, ensuring that limitations in current procurement policies do not hinder investment.
Representing the ALSF, Ms. Cynthia Khanyile highlighted the organisation’s role in building capacity across African countries to engage confidently with the private sector. “We provide both legal and technical assistance aimed at ensuring full scale performance of transactions, while empowering countries to build their internal capacity,” she said. “Our goal is to help nations sustain strong negotiation and implementation capabilities long after projects are completed.”
Participants from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are using the workshop to review and validate the PPP toolkits, paving the way for the development of a comprehensive legislative framework to guide PPPs in Eswatini.
Supported by the ALSF, AfDB, and DLA Piper, the workshop represents a key step toward establishing a transparent and efficient PPP system that will enhance service delivery and attract credible investment into Eswatini’s infrastructure sector.
