Population growth key to sustaining 24/7 operations
By Delisa Magagula
The call for Eswatini to strengthen its capacity for round-the-clock economic activity dominated part of the House of Assembly sitting with legislators linking 24-hour production to population growth and labour availability.
Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini said the country’s ambition to sustain full-time industrial and commercial operations would depend on a growing and productive population.
He made the remarks after the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development tabled its Second-Quarter Performance Report before Parliament.
Dlamini noted that while Eswatini continues to prioritise investment attraction and infrastructure expansion, the success of continuous operations in key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and services will ultimately rely on the strength and structure of its labour force.
He said the economy cannot expand on a 24-hour basis without sufficient human resources to support the demand for production, distribution, and essential services.
Dlamini further cautioned that the country’s current population growth rate, estimated at below 1.6 per cent, may not be adequate to sustain long-term industrial output.
“To sustain and grow a country’s economy, a steady increase in population is essential. For a country to attain population growth, it needs to increase by at least 2.1 per cent.
Anything below that signals a declining population, which can strain economic activity and the labour supply. The shift toward 24-hour operations requires a healthy, educated, and employable population capable of meeting industrial demand,” he said.
He added that each household and community has a role in developing citizens who are mentally and physically prepared to contribute to a modern economy that no longer functions within traditional working hours.
In response, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina acknowledged that population growth is a fundamental consideration in planning for future economic expansion, including the development of a workforce able to sustain continuous production cycles.
He said the government, through the Central Statistical Office and the National Development Plan, is closely monitoring demographic and employment trends to ensure that population dynamics support economic goals.
“Our planning approach emphasises balanced and sustainable growth. The aim is not only to grow the population but to align that growth with the capacity of the economy to absorb and productively employ people.
Expanding industrial operations to 24-hour schedules demands both numbers and capability within the labour market,” said Gina.
Dr Gina said the ministry’s demographic data feeds into sectoral planning for manufacturing, mining, transport, and healthcare, all of which require reliable workforce availability to operate beyond standard hours.
He added that population and labour forecasts are being used to guide investments in education, skills development, and health infrastructure.
Industry leaders say the move toward full-time production is already visible in sectors such as food processing, energy, and transport. However, they maintain that workforce readiness must be addressed for the economy to benefit fully.
Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer E Nathi Dlamini said private-sector productivity depends heavily on human capital.
He explained that a smaller or ageing workforce could make it difficult to sustain 24-hour operations without significant investments in automation and training.
“Businesses can extend operations, but the key question is whether there are enough skilled workers to run shifts safely and efficiently.
Population growth, together with education and health investment, directly influences the feasibility of continuous production,”
He added that increased employment opportunities from expanded operations would, in turn, support consumer spending, trade, and overall economic resilience.
Development economist Themba Mavuso said Eswatini’s demographic and labour patterns must be integrated into long-term industrial strategies.
He noted that while 24-hour production enhances competitiveness and output, it also increases demand for health services, urban infrastructure, and social protection for workers engaged in non-traditional shifts.
“Population growth provides the labour base, but productivity determines how effectively that labour supports extended operations. Planning must link demographic realities with industrial policy and human-capital investment,” he said.
He added that several regional economies have demonstrated that sustained population growth combined with education and technology investment creates conditions for 24-hour economic activity, attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
The Ministry of Economic Planning’s Second-Quarter Report projects moderate GDP growth supported by industrial recovery and stable inflation.
However, the report also highlights structural challenges, including limited labour absorption, uneven urban expansion, and the need for enhanced vocational training.
Analysts note that Eswatini’s ability to transition into a 24-hour economy will depend on synchronising population growth, workforce development, and energy reliability.
Expanding sectors such as textiles, retail, and transport logistics could benefit most from extended operating hours if supported by adequate policy and demographic planning.
For now, the government’s position remains that population growth must align with economic capacity, while legislators continue to urge stronger measures to ensure that Eswatini can meet the workforce demands of continuous industrial and commercial operations.
