Eswatini: a new eco-green city planned with the support of the UMDF | of the African Development Bank African Development Bank

The African Development Bank’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund is partnering with the Eswatini Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise on a new urban planning project, closely linked to the development of a transformative agro-industrial hub that will boost economic activity and attract tens of thousands of workers.

The Fund approved a $400,000 grant for the “Eswatini New Eco-Green City Masterplan” on June 8 this year. The grant will support the planning of a new urban area in the Shiselweni region of the country, where population and economic activities are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.

The project includes the establishment of a dedicated agro-processing zone, which will be implemented by the Eswatini Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (ESWADE), as a public-private partnership. The project will create approximately 100,000 worker jobs, creating a need for housing, healthcare and education for workers and their families.

The Shiselweni region faces the highest level of poverty in the country but is well suited for agricultural activities due to its rich soil. It is the driest region of Eswatini with an annual rainfall of 500 mm per year. Reducing vulnerability to drought and developing economic activities is a priority for the government, which plans to build three dams to enable irrigation.

The plan, called the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP), is driven by a value-chain approach that includes agricultural diversification (horticulture, cotton, dry beans, oil crops) that enables agro-processing and attracts new industries and workers.

A hurdle will be to accommodate the influx of workers spurred by the growth of the agro-industrial complex. A well-planned new eco-city is expected to provide quality services to the population, promote economic diversification, create sustainable employment and reduce poverty in the area, while protecting the environment.

The fund will assist with a development vision and strategy outlining the government’s goals and objectives. It will also support the development plan for the new Eco City and agro-processing zones, linked to existing and future development initiatives. A master plan for the holistic development of the Eco City, including a sustainable infrastructure needs assessment, pre-feasibility studies and investment packages to support downstream investment by the African Development Bank and other partners will also be discussed.

The support of the Fund for Urban and Municipal Development will be crucial for the design of the development plan and for identifying the non-agricultural elements of the project, including but not limited to energy and transport. The fund supports the urban planning aspects of the project.

“Climate adaptation and mitigation approaches and solutions will be central to the development of urban planning, solutions and sector investments,” said Marcus Mayr, UMDF Coordinator, who presented the project at the oversight committee.