Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has called on the African Development Bank (AfDB) to consider procurement frameworks that would allow qualified local businesses and young people to participate in and benefit from projects financed and implemented in Eswatini. This appeal was made during a meeting with a delegation of Senior Advisors and Advisors of the AfDB representing 30 countries. The delegation visited the Kingdom to assess projects supported by the Bank.
The Prime Minister emphasized that development partnerships should translate into tangible benefits for the people of Eswatini, contributing beyond infrastructure development to support local enterprise development, employment creation, and improved livelihoods. He welcomed the delegation's positive assessment of projects visited, including the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project Phase II (LUSIP II) and the Mpakeni Dam. The government appreciates the AfDB's continued partnership in supporting Eswatini's development agenda.
Dlamini stressed the importance of ensuring that development projects create opportunities for local participation, particularly for businesses with the capacity and qualifications to provide goods and services linked to major investments. He suggested that procurement approaches providing greater access to local businesses and young people could help broaden the economic impact of development projects. This approach would ensure that investments result in more than just completed infrastructure.
The discussions between the government and the AfDB delegation explored opportunities for deeper cooperation on several strategic mega projects planned or being pursued in Eswatini. These projects include industrial parks, the Intermodal Transport and Logistics Project, the SADC University of Transformation, the National Stadium, a referral hospital, and the new Parliament building and campus. The government is seeking continued engagement with development partners to pursue its broader development aspirations.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening partnerships with development institutions, saying such cooperation remains important in supporting the Kingdom's development priorities. The engagement provided an opportunity for the government to highlight the importance of ensuring that development financing has a meaningful impact on communities and the wider economy.
By advocating for procurement frameworks that create opportunities for qualified local companies and young people, the Prime Minister placed local participation at the centre of discussions around future development projects. The AfDB has continued to support development initiatives in Eswatini, with projects such as LUSIP II and Mpakeni Dam forming part of the Bank-supported interventions assessed by the visiting delegation.
The government's engagement with the Bank is expected to lead to increased cooperation and support for Eswatini's development priorities. The meeting demonstrated the government's commitment to working with development partners to achieve tangible benefits for the people of Eswatini. Key projects and initiatives will likely be implemented as a result of the discussions.
Key points
- The Prime Minister of Eswatini, Russell Dlamini, urged the AfDB to create procurement opportunities for local businesses and young people.
- The AfDB delegation assessed projects supported by the Bank, including LUSIP II and the Mpakeni Dam.
- The government and AfDB discussed strategic mega projects, including industrial parks and the SADC University of Transformation.
