Eswatini
2 Eswatini Logistics Infrastructure
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Eswatini

Overview

The overall national logistical infrastructure includes roads, rail, airways, telecommunications and energy systems. Roads account for approximately 4594km of which 1500km are paved and 3000km unpaved but is government-maintained gravel roads gazetted by the Eswatini government. Rail accounts for 300km of coverage locally connected to Mozambique (Maputo Port) and South Africa (Durban Port).  Since Eswatini is landlocked the closest shipping port is Maputo habour in Mozambique. While the Richards Bay Port and the Port of Durban also service the country from South Africa via Rail and Road access. 

Eswatini Railway has a dry port located centrally in Matsapha as well as smaller deports strategically positioned country wide aiding in connecting the railway line to the country’s main roads. 

There are two major airports in the country i.e. King Mswati III (KM III) International airport in Sikhuphe which is newly built and commenced operations in 2014 and the privately used Matsapha International Airport. 

The Government of Eswatini invests heavily in logistics infrastructure in the line with Government’s Programme of Action (2013 - 2018) to meet His Majesty’s Vision 2022. Private investment includes partnering with African Development Bank (AFDB) and The World Bank to boost private sector growth. The Government of Eswatini with the assistance of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2013 commissioned a Transport Master Plan called the Swaziland Transport Master Plan (STMP) to guide policy‐making, investment, regulation and institutional strengthening in the transport sector over the next 20 years. The Master Plan covers the road, rail and air sub‐sectors both within Eswatini and major transport links with and into neighbouring countries and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPWT) was appointed as the Executing Agency for preparation of the master plan. The master plan was developed through a series of steps including: assessment of existing infrastructure, services and transport performance; forecasts of demand based on population growth and socio‐economic development in Eswatini and the region; analysis of future requirements for infrastructure and services; development of strategies, technical and economic appraisal and prioritisation of options to include;

  • Investment programmes in road, rail and airport infrastructure to meet the needs of the entire population, reduce user costs and improve overall performance
  • Maintenance and rehabilitation programmes needed to preserve road, rail and airport infrastructure assets
  • Institutional strengthening initiatives needed for effective transport sector management; and
  • Revisions in policies, legislation and regulations needed for improved transport sector performance and for complying with regional transport protocols.

 Objective and Scope

The objective was to prepare a transport master plan covering the next 20 years to 2032 which will include a programme of investments and a time‐bound action plan. The principal activities included in the preparation work included:

  • Review of national transport policy at the sector and sub‐sector levels, progress made in implementation, and its relevance to current and future needs.  The review included an assessment of the policy in a regional context taking account of Eswatini’s memberships in SACU, SADC and COMESA;
  • Review of organisational and institutional arrangements and division of functions
  • Assessment of transport sector performance over the past 5‐10 years
  • Traffic studies and forecasts of traffic growth over the next 20 years under different scenarios
  • Review of current project selection and prioritisation procedures
  • Review of existing information systems, data and feasibility reports in the transport sector
  • Incorporation of environmental principles and best practice in all planning aspects of the Master plan right from the planning stage of projects
  • Preparation of a phased investment programme in each sub‐sector including actions to improve transport integration
  • Recommendation for an organisational and institutional development plan
  • Recommendation for a transport policy implementation plan
  • Preparation of a transport master plan for a 20‐year time horizon; and
  • Training of a core team on appraisal of transport projects using HDM‐4 and similar computer tools

Eswatini like any other country; has issues with a positive as well as a negative impact on its infrastructure, at national level. Positive impacts include; roads which provide connectivity and socio-economic growth. Vehicle operating costs, travel time and distance travelled are optimized as a result. Negative impacts include; increased traffic volumes due to influx of grey imports resulting in increased accident rate, road maintenance and environmental deterioration. Road maintenance costs have also increased. Limited funding responses from Government have resulted in inadequate network coverage and poor road conditions.

Eswatini has national projects that are underway or planned.

  • Upgrading of Piggs Peak – Bulembu Road and Piggs Peak – Bulandzeni Road (57km in total). Commencement to be confirmed.
  • Rehabilitation and ugrading of Motshane – Matsamo road (88km), Feasibility completed and construction commencement to be confirmed.
  • Upgrading of MR14 i.e. Maloma – Nsoko road (30km), Commencement still to be confirmed.
  • Upgrading MR21 i.e. Maloma – Nsalitshe (38km), commencement to be confirmed.
  • Upgrading MR13 Nhlangano – Sicunusa (42km) ongoing completion expected April 2023.


For reference, please see the attached link: Swaziland Transport Master Plan (2013)


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