Eswatini will allocate one out of every twenty rands from its 2025–26 government budget to road infrastructure, marking a significant investment in the country’s transport network.
To finance new road construction and maintain existing roads, the newly established Road Agency Fund begins operations this month.
Created under the 2023 Roads Authority Act, the agency operates under the Ministry of Finance and is funded by an additional 40-cent levy on petrol and diesel, which also takes effect this month.
“The government will continue upgrading several roads through various initiatives, including the Road Agency,” Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg stated in his recent budget speech to parliament.
Rijkenberg highlighted ongoing projects improving Eswatini’s road network, including upgrades that have transformed the Siphocosini-Motshane (D78) and Siteki-Tikhuba (D12) roads.
The Motshane road connects the northwestern Hhohho Region to the Oshoek Border Post, Eswatini’s busiest entry point into South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Siteki road links the northeast Lubombo Region to Mozambique, reducing travel time to Maputo to just two hours.
However, highway lighting remains a persistent challenge. Long stretches of major roads are often left in darkness due to unpaid electricity bills and copper cable theft.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport oversees highway lighting, but local freight companies told Freight News that issues persist, affecting road safety.
Budget Breakdown for Road Infrastructure
The 2025–26 budget includes:
- R636.12 million for new road construction.
- R200 million for surfacing rural roads.
- R30 million for MicroProjects to concrete roads in 35 rural areas.
- R1.21 billion allocated for the overall roads program.
Rijkenberg reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving full road connectivity across all rural areas.
In addition to road infrastructure, the finance minister praised the revival of Royal Swazi National Airways, the country’s only commercial airline.
The airline has expanded its network with new routes to Cape Town, Durban, and Harare, supplementing its main Johannesburg service from King Mswati III International Airport.
“The recognition by the African Airlines Association shows the airline’s growing presence in the regional aviation sector,” Rijkenberg noted.
Eswatini also signed four Bilateral Air Services Agreements in 2024, enabling future cooperation with international carriers and opening opportunities for new routes.
