By Ntombi Mhlongo
At least 15 000 emaSwati benefitted from projects worth approximately E11 billion in the past two years.
The projects were implemented under the Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan. Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Manqoba Khumalo further indicated more projects were lined up.
During a presentation to give an update on the recovery plan, the minister said the projects are in various sectors of the economy.
“This is very exciting because it shows that even though things were difficult in the past two years, the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini worked very hard to ensure that jobs are created.”
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He said these investments have contributed positively to the country’s economic growth. The minister recalled that the country’s GDP growth last year was 7.4 per cent, making it the highest in the SADC region.
“We are looking forward to launching a property development project in Manzini called the Manzini Arch and the total sum of that entire project will be in the region of E4 billion,” he said.
Khumalo added that they are expecting to start work in the next month or two with a commitment of about E2 billion.
“There is about E1 billion worth of energy projects between biomass, solar, and hydro in the pipeline and these will soon be implemented.”
He mentioned that the government is building a few other factories in places such as Mantambe, Bulandzeni, Ndzevane, and other places in the rural areas and that there will be a few other private sector factories.
Khumalo revealed that there is a company called Alliance Foods that is owned by African Alliance and they are building a big factory in Matsapha.
“There are a host of other projects in the mining sector that are coming into the economy. The Mhlume mine is about to get going. Maloma mine will be expanding to at least twice its current size. The Mpaka mine will soon be operational. The Ngwenya mine has already started and is expected to expand and start exporting the iron ore.”
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Meanwhile, the minister highlighted that the retail sector is also coming very strong and that the government has received feedback to the effect that in Malkerns, African Alliance is starting Phase II of the retail project that already exists there.
In Siphofaneni, he said there is already a project going on at the moment, and “we expect a big mall in Fairview that the City Council has already approved.”
“From where we stand, we think the economy will continue to be stronger. We know that we are still suffering from a lack of jobs, but the work that the government is doing is very much in the right direction.”
“Over time, people will see the fruits of the economic growth translating into actual job opportunities as each of these sectors starts to thrive. Mine is to just thank His Majesty and the whole government as well as the private sector in particular for staying true to the cause and fulfilling that commitment and see many other private sector companies reinvesting into this economy and new companies coming into Eswatini,” the minister said.
