Development finance institution (DFI) the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a loan of $140.6-million to Eswatini for the first stage of a programme to improve road links and mobility at national and regional level in urban and rural areas.

The road infrastructure investment will enable the upgrading of 105.9 km of paved roads. The new road surfaces will also be adapted to climate change, thereby enabling all-weather transportation locally and in the wider area.

The Siphofaneni-Sithobelath-Maloma-Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma-Siphambanweni (MR21) sections will be upgraded and will have a width of 12.3 m, including 2 m paved shoulders on each side of the road, as well as bridges. This will reduce journey times and vehicle operating costs.

Inadequate road infrastructure is a major reason why socioeconomic development has struggled to make progress in the regions of Lubombo and Shiselweni.

The regions have abundant agricultural resources, but employment opportunities are limited and young people lack essential skills, the DFI says.

Further, the project includes construction of an axle-load weighing facility along the MR14 road. Support will also be provided for sectoral reform of policy and institutional frameworks in the sphere of road safety, as current road safety provisions are not consistently implemented, and for the design of an axle-load control programme, the AfDB says.

“The project will contribute to poverty reduction by creating well-paid jobs for young people in economically disadvantaged regions such as Lubombo and Shilselweni,” says AfDB Eswatini country manager Moono Mupotola.

“This will be achieved through targeted vocational training and apprenticeship programmes. At least 200 young people will benefit by obtaining formal qualifications and professional and technical skills that are adapted to market needs,” she says.

Meanwhile, the AfDB's cumulative contributions to the country to date exceed $820-million in the form of grants and concessional loans. Its interventions have included investments across various sectors, including agriculture, mining, energy, water and sanitation, transport, finance, governance and communication, knowledge-based activities, policy dialogue and technical assistance.