Government has admitted that delayed payments, policy bottlenecks and procurement weaknesses continue to cripple Eswatini’s construction industry, even as contractors push for urgent reforms to keep businesses afloat.
Speaking during the opening of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Stakeholder Forum 2026 at Happy Valley on Monday, Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza acknowledged that government has become increasingly aware of the challenges facing the sector, particularly the persistent late payment of contractors, slow policy implementation and the need to prioritise local companies.
The forum, held under the theme “Driving Infrastructure Investment for National Development,” brought together contractors, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, Members of Parliament and delegates from South Africa.
While calling on industry players to move beyond discussions and focus on implementation, the Minister also conceded that government still has unfinished business.
“We have become more aware of the issues frustrating the sector,” he said, pointing to delayed payments, gaps in procurement systems and the need to strengthen opportunities for Swati contractors and professionals.
The Minister said the CIC Board had consistently challenged government on issues affecting the industry, forcing authorities to place construction sector concerns higher on the national agenda.
One of government’s biggest setbacks remains the delayed review of the CIC Act and its regulations.
Although the review was identified as a priority when the current Board assumed office in 2023, the process remains incomplete more than three years later.
Chief Ndlaluhlaza attributed the delay to extensive stakeholder consultations, saying more engagement sessions were conducted than initially anticipated.
He said the draft legislation is now ready and is expected to undergo final stakeholder validation within the next two weeks before being submitted to his office for presentation to Cabinet and eventually Parliament.
The Minister outlined progress made by the outgoing CIC Board, whose term ended on Monday, saying it had successfully appointed a substantive Chief Executive Officer, rebuilt relations with industry stakeholders and strengthened engagement through annual stakeholder forums.
However, contractors continue to complain that delayed government payments are choking cash flow, forcing many businesses to borrow heavily simply to execute public projects.
The Minister maintained that government is committed to ensuring Swati contractors, professionals and locally produced materials receive greater consideration in public infrastructure projects.
He said local companies are already participating in various developments, including roads, bridges, water infrastructure, industrial buildings, residential projects, energy facilities and agricultural infrastructure.
Chief Ndlaluhlaza further revealed that government has introduced a dedicated maintenance budget aimed at stimulating activity within the construction sector while improving the management of public infrastructure assets.
He also welcomed the participation of South African construction stakeholders, saying regional collaboration would strengthen industrialisation and support regional integration under SADC.
Despite outlining government’s commitments, much of the discussion at the forum centred on the need for urgent action rather than continued promises, with contractors and stakeholders demanding faster policy implementation, improved financing mechanisms and an end to payment delays that continue to threaten the survival of local construction companies.
The Minister concluded by urging both government and industry players to shift from making recommendations to delivering measurable results.
“Let us move beyond suggesting solutions and commit ourselves to accelerating progress for the betterment of the industry and the nation as a whole,” he said.
