Water plan launched to tackle Eswatini’s climate woes

MBABANE – A new national water strategy has been launched to address Eswatini’s growing water scarcity and climate threats, as government moves to strengthen its long-term response to environmental and economic pressures.

The Eswatini Water Investment Plan (EWIP), officially launched Tuesday by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, is expected to lay the groundwork for better water infrastructure, stronger climate resilience, and wider access to clean water across the country. The plan is being developed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and supported by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa under the African Union’s Adaptation Initiative for Africa programme.

The launch event, held in Mbabane, brought together senior government officials, environmental experts, and development stakeholders from different sectors, including water management, infrastructure, and environmental conservation.

The EWIP is designed to secure over $75 million in blended climate finance by 2030, with its blueprint aligning with national policies such as the National Development Plan 2023–2028, the Water Act of 2003, and the National Water Policy of 2018.

Speaking through Principal Secretary Lindiwe Mbingo, Minister HRH Prince Lonkhokhela warned that Eswatini’s rivers are drying up, dams are under stress, and vulnerable communities—especially women and girls—continue to walk long distances to fetch water.

He pointed to erratic rainfall patterns, more frequent floods and droughts, and collapsing water systems as signs that the country must act urgently. “Without strategic water planning and investments, we will be helpless against the increasing impacts of climate change, which threaten both our water resources and our economy,” said the minister.

The EWIP will focus on three major pillars: building national capacity to access climate finance, drafting detailed investment plans to guide water-related decisions, and developing project proposals that align with Eswatini’s long-term development goals.