A new 48-meter suspension bridge over the Lugongodlane River now links the communities of Emfasi and Buhleni in Eswatini’s Hhohho Region. Officially opened on 8 August 2025, the bridge will provide safer, year-round access for more than 3,000 residents.
The project was led by Engineers in Action (EIA) together with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s Microprojects Programme. Construction took eight weeks and involved 14 international university students and their professors from Cornell University, University of Southern Indiana, and University College London. They worked alongside local community members under the supervision of EIA engineers.
This marks the first suspension bridge in Eswatini built entirely by international students, expanding EIA’s capacity to train young engineers on complex infrastructure. Suspension bridges are especially suited to Eswatini’s floodplain areas because they offer durability and cost-efficiency compared to traditional suspended bridges that require heavy rock fill.
The inauguration follows closely on the completion of a third clean water system at Herefords Primary School in Mayiwane Inkhundla, signalling a period of infrastructure progress in the region.
EIA has now built 33 bridges in Eswatini, with three more scheduled before the current build season ends in October. In 2026, the organisation plans to construct six suspension bridges and three suspended bridges — the first time suspension bridges will outnumber suspended ones in their projects. They have also committed to delivering eight new bridges and two clean water systems next year to support sustainable rural development.
EIA thanks the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development and the Microprojects Programme for their continued support in these efforts.
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