Government has told the World Bank that Eswatini expects more than financing from the partnership, but technical expertise, policy advice and institutional support that will translate into jobs, improved public services and better livelihoods for emaSwati.
This was said by the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Tambo Gina, when he met with the World Bank Executive Director for Africa Group 1 Constituency, Dr Zarau Wendeline Kibwe, on the sidelines of the 2026 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Eswatini’s development priorities, financing needs and progress in implementing development projects.
Delegates from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development at the meeting were Principal Secretary Thabsile Mlangeni, Chief Economist Sifiso Mamba and senior officials Anthony Mthunzi, Nombuso Dlamini and Phindile Masango. During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between Eswatini and the World Bank, stating that Government values the Bank as a strategic partner.
“We value the Bank as a strategic partner in advancing inclusive growth, economic resilience and sustainable development. We appreciate your visit to Eswatini in May 2025, which provided valuable insight into our national priorities and development challenges. We look to the Bank not only for financing, but also for technical expertise, policy advice and institutional support,” she said. Minister Dr Gina said the visit by Dr Kibwe to Eswatini in May 2025 was significant because it provided the Bank with first-hand insight into the country’s national priorities and development challenges.
He said Eswatini’s expectation from the World Bank extends beyond financing to include technical expertise, policy advice and institutional support that can help strengthen implementation capacity.
The minister further emphasised the importance of ensuring that development financing translates into meaningful improvements in people’s lives. “Our shared objective must be to translate development financing into tangible results jobs, improved public services and better livelihoods for emaSwati,” he said. He said the shared objective between Government and the World Bank must be to ensure that development financing results in tangible outcomes that improve the lives of citizens.
According to the minister, jobs, improved public services and better livelihoods for emaSwati must be the measure of successful development cooperation. Discussions also highlighted Eswatini’s development priorities, including digital transformation, expanding access to safe water and sanitation, and promoting private sector-led job creation through the proposed Jobs 4 All Eswatini initiative. The minister said digital transformation is one of Government’s priorities as part of efforts to advance inclusive growth and economic resilience.
He said expanding access to safe water and sanitation remains a priority for improving public services and livelihoods.
He further said promoting private sector-led job creation through the proposed Jobs 4 All Eswatini initiative is central to Government’s efforts to address unemployment and create sustainable livelihoods. Dr Gina said there is a need to accelerate the implementation of development projects and strengthen coordination among implementing entities.
He said implementation challenges must be addressed to ensure that development commitments deliver tangible results for the population.
The meeting with Dr Kibwe provided an opportunity for Eswatini to present its development priorities and financing needs and to discuss progress in implementing projects supported by the World Bank. The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development said the partnership with the World Bank remains strategic for advancing inclusive growth, economic resilience and sustainable development.
The ministry said the government appreciates the Bank’s engagement and looks forward to continued support in the form of financing, technical expertise, policy advice and institutional support to ensure development financing translates into jobs, improved public services and better livelihoods for emaSwati. 
