BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA – government says it has made significant progress in implementing its 2026/27 Programme of Action during the first quarter of the financial year, highlighting major international funding wins, policy reforms, digital growth and public health achievements despite ongoing financial and technological constraints.
The progress is contained in the Private and Cabinet Office’s First Quarter Performance Report, which outlines key milestones achieved between April and June under the government’s “Nkwe” Programme of Action.
A major highlight of the quarter was the five-day Cabinet Retreat, where ministers signed a declaration committing themselves to accelerate economic growth, poverty eradication and service delivery. The retreat also culminated in the approval of 36 Cabinet policy papers covering a wide range of national priorities, including livestock development, disaster risk management, infrastructure development and public administration reforms.
The report also notes that Cabinet approved Eswatini’s hosting of the 26th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, a move expected to raise the country’s regional profile while creating economic opportunities through tourism and investment.
On infrastructure, government advanced work on the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility while approving road maintenance projects.
The health sector emerged as one of the strongest performers during the quarter.
The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) secured a US$27.9 million (about E500 million) allocation from the Global Fund under Grant Cycle 8 to sustain programmes combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
Government also attracted international attention after a Global Fund mission showcased Eswatini’s healthcare innovations, including the rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention medicine Lenacapavir and the full operationalisation of the PSA Oxygen Plant and Healthcare Waste Management Plants in Matsapha. The initiatives received international media coverage from publications including The Guardian and Spain’s El País.
Government’s communication strategy also recorded remarkable growth.
According to the report, the Government Facebook page grew by 32.6 percent to more than 143,000 followers, while Instagram recorded a 42.7 percent increase. Prime Minister Russell Dlamini’s Facebook following also increased by 15.8 percent during the quarter.
The Government Press Office also coordinated interviews with major international media organisations including Bloomberg TV, Reuters, The New York Times and the Financial Times, helping promote Eswatini’s investment opportunities, the country’s 40/58 National Celebrations and its diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the Government Security Office strengthened security services by prequalifying private security companies to guard government ministries and departments, while extending protection to the Prevention of People Trafficking and Smuggling Victim Shelter and residences of former prime ministers.
In the fight against HIV/AIDS, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) distributed 942,000 condoms across the country during the reporting period.
NERCHA also received 88 applications from HIV support groups seeking funding for income-generating projects. Fourteen groups were ultimately selected to receive grants for projects including poultry farming and vegetable production.
The Policy and Programme Coordination Unit (PPCU) continued monitoring government spending by processing 292 international travel requests through Cabinet approval processes, involving expenditure exceeding E17.5 million.
Despite the achievements, the report acknowledges several challenges affecting implementation. These include limited server capacity affecting the electronic Cabinet system, funding shortages for personnel costs and delays in some programme implementation.
The Private and Cabinet Office has a recurrent budget of E86.6 million for the 2026/27 financial year and says it remains focused on accelerating implementation of the government’s priorities over the remaining three quarters.
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