IN a move to boost economic activities and attract a large workforce, the African Development Bank’s (AfDB’s) Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) has joined forces with the Eswatini Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (ESWADE) for an innovative urban planning project. The project, known as the ‘Eswatini New Eco-Green City Masterplan,’ aims to develop an agro-industrial hub that will create thousands of jobs and facilitate sustainable growth.
The UMDF recently approved a grant of $400,000 for the masterplan on June 8, 2023. The grant will support the planning and development of a new urban area in Eswatini’s Shiselweni region, which is projected to experience rapid population and economic growth in the coming years.
One of the key components of the project is the establishment of a special agro-processing zone through a public-private partnership led by ESWADE. This agro-proces
sing zone is expected to generate around 100,000 job opportunities, necessitating the provision of housing, healthcare, and education services for the workers and their families.
Despite facing high levels of poverty, the Shiselweni region boasts fertile soil and is well-suited for agricultural activities. To enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate the impact of drought, the government plans to construct three dams for irrigation purposes as part of the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP). By adopting a value-chain approach that includes agricultural diversification, such as horticulture, cotton, dry beans, and oil crops, the MNWAP aims to promote agro-processing and attract new industries and workers.
However, accommodating the influx of workers attracted by the agro-industr
ial complex poses a challenge. The development of a well-planned eco-city is expected to address this issue by providing high-quality services, stimulating economic diversification, reducing poverty, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The UMDF’s support will play a crucial role in designing the development plan and identifying non-agricultural elements of the project, including energy and transportation. Marcus Mayr, UMDF Coordinator, emphasized that climate adaptation and mitigation solutions will be integral to the urban planning process and sector investment development.
The collaboration between the African Development Bank and Eswatini aims to create a transformative agro-industrial hub while ensuring sustainable urban development and addressing the region’s socio-economic challenges. By leveraging the expertise and resources of the UMDF, Eswatini is taking significant strides towards achieving its development objectives and promoting inclusive growth.
