The Matsapha Town Council has secured a long-term loan of E31.7 million from Standard Bank Eswatini to finance the rehabilitation of 3.2km of key industrial roads. The loan, secured in April 2025, was used to rehabilitate King Mswati III Street and Matalatala Street, two major routes serving Matsapha's industrial area. The project included drainage improvements, street furniture, and pedestrian walkways, particularly along Matalatala Avenue.
The rehabilitation project was undertaken against a backdrop of growing traffic congestion and an infrastructure backlog in Matsapha. According to the Council's 2025/26 Annual Report, the loan is repayable over 60 months at the Prime interest rate. The borrowing increased Council's total debt from E450 000 in March 2025 to E26.5 million by March 2026. The project went beyond resurfacing, with significant improvements to the road infrastructure.
The rehabilitated roads, King Mswati III Street and Matalatala Street, are among the town's key industrial routes and carry significant volumes of heavy trucks and logistics vehicles. King Mswati III Street starts at the junction with Conco Street near the Conco premises, passes Smithco Building, and ends at the railway crossing beyond Logico warehouses. Matalatala Street begins at the junction with Lomawa Street, formerly Simunye Street, near the Eswatini Post Office.
The project also included rehabilitation of the Ludvonga and Matalatala Streets intersection near Eswatini Beverages. According to the report, the rehabilitated roads were opened to all traffic in August 2025, almost a month ahead of the planned completion date. At the time of reporting, the contractor was completing minor ancillary works, including road edges and landscaping.
The investment significantly increased the value of Council's road infrastructure. Additions to roads during the year amounted to E27.8 million, while a further E6 million was transferred from Work in Progress. After depreciation of E7 million, the net book value of roads increased from E20.9 million to E47.7 million. Roads now account for more than half of Council's total property, plant and equipment, valued at E89.7 million.
Matsapha Chief Executive Officer Sizwe Dlamini said infrastructure development and maintenance remained a key priority, with more resources being directed towards road rehabilitation and patching. He said Council continued engaging national government and other stakeholders to mobilise financial support and strategic partnerships to address the traffic congestion and infrastructure backlog.
The road project forms part of Council's broader plans to position Matsapha as a liveable and sustainable investment municipality. Other capital commitments contained in the report include E421 845 for a Hazardous Waste Facility and E132 207 for ablution facilities under the Silent Park Project. Council also committed E245 528 towards the construction of Silent Park ablution facilities.
Key points
- Matsapha Town Council borrowed E31.7 million to rehabilitate 3.2km of key industrial roads.
- The project included drainage improvements, street furniture, and pedestrian walkways.
- The rehabilitated roads were opened to all traffic in August 2025.
