BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA– His Royal Highness Prince Lindani has lauded the forward-looking leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, emphasising the remarkable development Eswatini has achieved under the King’s more than 40-year reign.
Prince Lindani made the remarks on 9 March 2026 during a session of the Portfolio Committee in Parliament, which he chairs, when the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development presented its 2025/26 Annual Performance Report.
Reflecting on the nation’s progress, the Prince acknowledged that His Majesty’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping the country’s development journey. He noted that over the past four decades, the King’s vision has significantly contributed to infrastructure growth, economic expansion, and the overall improvement of citizens’ livelihoods.
“Under His Majesty’s leadership, we have witnessed extraordinary strides in national development, from modern roads and public facilities to growing opportunities in business and industry,” Prince Lindani said. He added that government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, continue to play a pivotal role in implementing initiatives aligned with the King’s development agenda.
Presenting the report, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina highlighted that Eswatini’s economy remains resilient despite global challenges. According to Dr Gina, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, driven by strong performance in mining, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), and construction sectors.
Looking ahead, the minister projected continued growth, with GDP expected to expand by 5.2 per cent in 2026. Inflation also eased to 3.1 per cent in 2025, largely due to lower food prices, creating a more stable and predictable economic environment.
Dr Gina emphasised the importance of support from development partners in realising the country’s national priorities. Among the notable contributions are a US$205 million health cooperation agreement with the United States Government covering 2026–2030, €8 million from the European Union, JPY200 million from the Government of Japan for the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, and a US$82 million concessional loan from the World Bank to fund projects in water supply, health, education, and digital infrastructure.
The minister also provided updates on major infrastructure projects, noting that the International Convention Centre (ICC) is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised by April 2026. Similarly, the Five-Star Hotel project is progressing well and is set to open soon.
Community development remained a key focus, with the Microprojects Unit completing 43 initiatives across the country, benefiting more than 344,000 people. These projects range from roads and schools to community water schemes, highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
In terms of budget performance, Dr Gina reported that the recurrent budget of E293 million has seen E235 million already utilised, while the capital budget of E7.19 billion has disbursed E4.38 billion to fund ongoing and new projects.
Concluding his presentation, Dr Gina expressed gratitude for the continued support from Parliament and development partners, noting that such collaboration is essential to sustaining the country’s positive growth trajectory.
Prince Lindani’s comments underline a shared optimism about Eswatini’s future. He reiterated that the nation’s development achievements are a testament to the King’s enduring vision, strong leadership, and the dedication of ministries and citizens alike.
“The journey of progress continues, and together, guided by His Majesty’s foresight, we can achieve even greater milestones for our beloved country,” Prince Lindani said.
The session reflected a strong sense of national pride and unity, as Parliament and government ministries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Eswatini’s social and economic development.
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(Courtesy Pic)
