By Delisa Thwala
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) has set the wheels in motion for a more sustainable, equitable future with the launch of its ambitious 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.
Speaking at the unveiling event held at the Royal Villas Hotel in Ezulwini on Wednesday, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to improving housing access and urban development across Eswatini.
The plan aligns with key national and international frameworks such as the National Development Plan 2023–2028, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Eswatini’s Climate Action Framework.
Central to the plan is the promise of affordable, sustainable housing that caters to the growing urban population.
The Ministry aims to increase the affordable housing stock by 20% over the next five years and upgrade informal settlements with modern infrastructure.
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Beyond providing homes, the plan envisions a holistic approach to urban living, integrating green building standards, modern transport networks, and improved water and sanitation systems.
“We’re not just building houses; we’re building sustainable communities,” the Minister Apollo Maphalala stressed.
To achieve this, the government is working closely with municipal councils, private investors, and financial institutions to expand access to housing finance and land tenure security.
The plan also addresses urban governance challenges, with an emphasis on strengthening local governments through capacity-building programs and promoting public-private partnerships to stimulate economic growth in urban areas.
A critical part of the strategy is enhancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
New fire stations, upgraded emergency response services, and advanced firefighting equipment will be rolled out to protect urban communities from disasters.
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He further said Eswatini is determined to lead the way in building cities that are not only sustainable but also resilient to future challenges.
Worth mentioning is that, the Strategic Plan is supported by a detailed Implementation Plan and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to ensure transparency and accountability.
“This isn’t just a document it’s a promise to our people, and we intend to deliver,” concluded the Minister.
