BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA – Government is proposing a new External Travel Policy that will require quarterly reporting on the outcomes and benefits of official international trips.
The policy introduction is meant to strengthen accountability and ensuring value for money from taxpayer-funded travel.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini made the announcement while responding to a parliamentary question from Mayiwane Member of Parliament Sicelo Dlamini, who sought clarity on the benefits derived from official travel undertaken during the quarter under review.
The MP referred to figures contained in the Prime Minister’s Performance and Policy Coordination Unit (PPCU) report, which indicated that government officials undertook 292 external trips during the reporting period at a cost of more than E17 million. He questioned the measurable outcomes of the trips and asked what agreements had been signed following the international engagements.
In response, the Prime Minister said official international travel had delivered a range of tangible benefits for the Kingdom, including the negotiation and conclusion of bilateral and multilateral treaties, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and other cooperation agreements that advance Eswatini’s national interests.
He said participation in international meetings also enables public servants to exchange knowledge, benchmark against international best practices and strengthen institutional capacity, which ultimately contributes to improved policy development and more effective public service delivery.
The Prime Minister further stated that coordinated international engagements have helped improve the international community’s understanding of Eswatini’s governance system, including the Tinkhundla system of governance, while promoting greater appreciation of the country’s constitutional and governance framework.
To reinforce transparency and accountability, Dlamini said the proposed External Travel Policy would introduce a requirement for quarterly reports outlining the outcomes of official travel. These reports will detail the benefits realised from each engagement, the implementation status of commitments and agreements reached, as well as lessons acquired through the international missions.
The proposed policy is expected to provide a structured mechanism for assessing whether official travel delivers measurable returns and supports national development priorities. It also seeks to address concerns over public expenditure by ensuring that the results of international engagements are documented and can be monitored over time.
Before posing his question, the Mayiwane legislator expressed his admiration for the Prime Minister and urged him not to take parliamentary questions personally, emphasising that Members of Parliament raise such matters on behalf of the constituents they represent.
The Prime Minister welcomed the remarks, saying he respected the constitutional role of Members of Parliament in representing citizens and viewed parliamentary scrutiny as an essential component of democratic governance and public accountability. He stressed his commitment to responding to questions with openness and respect in the interest of serving the people of Eswatini.
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