AGP Executive Report

Public Finances: Government is seeking E3.79 billion in new loans, while public debt stood at E43.04 billion, or 41.63% of GDP, as of September 29. ENPF Dispute: The High Court has halted the provident fund board’s inauguration amid a challenge over the exclusion of business nominees and the appointment of a ministry official. Urban Development: Towns are growing faster than planning schemes can keep pace, putting pressure on housing, roads, water and sanitation; the Urban Forum is looking at sustainable ways to fund local growth. AI Standards: Eswatini has launched an AI Safety and Standards Centre to build local expertise and help assess whether systems are safe and suitable for African communities. Investment: EIPA reports E1.85 billion in new projects and E170 million in expansions during the second quarter, with 147 jobs expected at full capacity. Sihlangu: Dominic Kunene will return as interim coach for the November friendly against Malta while the EFA finalises a permanent appointment.

Roads: The Eswatini Roads Authority has appointed Ndabenhle Nxumalo as CEO and Makhosazana Dlamini-Ginindza as CFO as it prepares to take charge of national road planning and maintenance. Urban Growth: Towns are expanding faster than their plans, putting pressure on housing, land and basic services, officials warned at the Eswatini Urban Forum. Global Engagement: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has left to represent the King at the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, then attend the COP31 climate conference in Türkiye. Provident Fund Dispute: The High Court has temporarily stopped the inauguration of the new ENPF Board while it considers a challenge to the appointment process and the exclusion of two nominees. Investment: EIPA says it facilitated E1.85 billion in new investment projects and E170 million in expansions during July to September, with 147 jobs expected at full capacity. Higher Education: King Mswati has called for universities in all four regions after UNESWA received about 9,000 applications but admitted only 3,000. Energy: Eswatini says it is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing that safety, legislation and institutional capacity must come first.

Higher Education: King Mswati III called for universities in all four regions, saying UNESWA received about 9,000 applications but admitted only 3,000. Royal Reports: The King is reportedly set to marry Nontokozo Shembe, daughter of a Shembe church leader. The reports remain unconfirmed; royal spokesperson Percy Simelane called it a “family affair.” Teacher Training: UNESWA and UNESCO launched a project to equip 4,000 teachers with life-skills education to support learners’ well-being and safety. Energy: Eswatini reaffirmed it is exploring nuclear power for the long term, stressing the need for strong laws, institutions and safety measures before any development. Urban Planning: Officials warned that outdated land laws and unplanned building along new roads could lead to costly infrastructure problems. UN Review: Eswatini’s record on economic and social rights is due to be reviewed by a UN committee on November 2 and 3.

Energy: Eswatini is exploring nuclear power as a possible long-term source of electricity, but officials say any move would require careful assessment, strong institutions, clear laws and robust safety measures. Urban Planning: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, officials warned that outdated land laws and unplanned building along rural roads could drive up infrastructure costs. UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira said 90% of economic activity is concentrated in the Matsapha–Mbabane–Manzini corridor. Education: A review of the national education plan urged urgent action on learner dropouts, weak maths and science results, support for vulnerable students and gaps in vocational training. Investment: Eswatini slipped one place to 30th in RMB’s 2026/27 African investment rankings, scoring below the continental average. Youth Football: Eswatini’s U-15s beat the Maldives 3–0 but lost 2–1 to Palestine, moving into the tournament’s placement matches.

Education: A national review has urged urgent action on learner dropouts, weak maths and science results, inadequate support for vulnerable students and gaps in technical training. Pregnancy-related school departures remain a concern, with 1,516 girls reported to have left school for this reason. Urban planning: At the Eswatini Urban Forum, officials warned that outdated land laws and uncontrolled building along new rural roads could leave communities with costly infrastructure gaps. Housing Minister Apollo Maphalala also urged councils to end internal disputes and plan for towns’ needs by 2050. Council finances: Ezulwini’s CEO says government is municipalities’ biggest rates defaulter, undermining services and infrastructure plans. The Housing Ministry, meanwhile, says an E1 million request from Mbabane Council for the forum was a short-term loan, not a misuse of funds. Youth football: Eswatini’s Under-15 side beat the Maldives 3-0 at the FIFA World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, advancing in the tournament’s classification rounds.

Youth Football: Eswatini’s Under-15 side beat the Maldives 3-0 to advance in the FIFA U-15 World Cup classification bracket. Samkelo Tsabedze, Mnotfo Simelane and Junior Shabangu scored. Urban Forum Funding: The Housing Ministry says the E1 million requested from Mbabane Council for the Eswatini Urban Forum is a short-term loan that will be repaid, defending the arrangement as documented and lawful. Court Security: Prosecutors say witnesses in the murder trial of Mashumi Shongwe may be at risk, citing a social-media audio clip that allegedly discusses eliminating witnesses and a judge. The claims have not been tested in court. Public Finances: Government arrears have fallen to E2.7 billion, or 3.2% of GDP, from 5.2% three years ago, but remain above the 2% target, an AfDB report says. Education: A total of 1,516 girls left school due to pregnancy from 2023 to 2025, according to figures presented at the Education Indaba; reported school violence also rose sharply.

Court Safety: Prosecutors say witnesses in Mashumi Shongwe’s murder trial may be in danger, citing a social media audio recording that allegedly discusses eliminating witnesses and a High Court judge. The Crown asked to conceal some witnesses’ names. Education: Eswatini recorded 1,516 pregnancy-related school departures in 2025, including 1,336 secondary pupils, up from 964 in 2023. Reported violence cases in schools also rose, from 45 in 2023 to 204 in 2024–25. Football: Entry to Eswatini’s Under-23 AFCON qualifier against Algeria at Somhlolo Stadium on November 11 is free, but fans must claim tickets online in advance. Public Funds: The Housing Ministry says the E1 million requested from Mbabane council for the Eswatini Urban Forum is a documented short-term loan that will be repaid, rejecting allegations of misappropriation. Bank Fraud: A Standard Bank employee and three co-accused face charges over an alleged E396,000 fraud targeting a pensioner; they were remanded in custody until November 4.

Creative Economy: Eswatini platform Only Make Waves is helping independent artists distribute music and find commercial opportunities through events, merchandise and digital services. Football: Sihlangu’s 165th FIFA ranking leaves Eswatini outside the top 100 countries whose journalists vote for the men’s Ballon d’Or. The team’s highest ranking was 88th in 2017. Cost of Living: Government has gazetted a 4.23% bread price increase. An 800g white loaf can now cost up to E18.66, while brown rises to E16.26. Fraud Case: A banker and three others face charges over the alleged theft of E396,000 from a 66-year-old pensioner’s account. Police say E180,000 was recovered before it could be withdrawn. Education: Pregnancy-related school dropouts rose sharply: 1,336 secondary-school girls left in 2025, up from 964 in 2023, while primary-school cases more than doubled to 180.

Diplomacy: Nigeria’s new High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, says he will strengthen ties and protect Nigerians in South Africa. He is also accredited to Eswatini and Lesotho. Education: King Mswati III has urged the University of Eswatini to launch a student meal project and called for more universities across the country. UNESWA needs E1 billion to upgrade facilities, while only 3,000 of about 9,000 applicants gained admission. Agriculture: The government is urging farmers to plant early and use fast-maturing seeds as El Niño threatens prolonged dry spells. Investment: The Eswatini Stock Exchange says the country must compete harder for capital and expand financing options for businesses. Migration: Eswatini says 11 third-country nationals have been repatriated since a 2025 arrangement with the US began. Consumer news: DStv will introduce new packages on November 5, with extra channels in its entry-level and family offerings.

Investment and Exports: Eswatini’s Stock Exchange says the country must compete for capital, while a new DHL-EIPA partnership will train small businesses to reach export markets. Exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million. Education: Stakeholders have gathered for a three-day indaba on improving access and quality. The King has called for E1 billion to upgrade UNESWA, more university places and a student food-support project. Agriculture: Farmers are urged to plant early and choose fast-maturing crops as the threat of El Niño raises fears of dry spells. Immigration: Eswatini says 11 third-country nationals have been repatriated since a US arrangement began in July 2025; the latest, from Guinea, returned voluntarily. Public Integrity: A civil service commission found a registrar guilty of dishonesty after she issued alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala a birth certificate and ID using false details. Regional Ties: Eswatini and Lesotho parliamentarians are urging easier movement among their countries and Botswana.

Migration: Eswatini has repatriated 11 third-country nationals since its US arrangement began in July 2025. The latest, a Guinean national, returned home voluntarily over the weekend. Public Service: A civil service commission found registrar Nonhlanhla Malambe guilty of dishonesty and corruption for issuing alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala a false birth certificate and Eswatini ID. Higher Education: King Mswati III called for E1 billion to upgrade UNESWA, more student housing and a “No Hungry Student” project. He also urged the creation of universities across all four regions, after the university admitted only about 3,000 of 9,000 applicants. Trade: Eswatini’s September exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion, led by sugar and soft drink concentrates, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million. Football: Eswatini’s under-15 side opened its World Cup campaign with a 6-1 loss to Colombia in Baku.

Matlala ID Scandal: An Eswatini assistant regional civil registrar has admitted dishonesty after illegally issuing alleged South African underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala a birth certificate and national ID. UNESWA Funding: King Mswati III has called for E1 billion to upgrade the university, more student accommodation and a No Hungry Student Project. He also urged the creation of universities across all four regions, after UNESWA admitted only 3,000 of about 9,000 applicants. Trade: Eswatini’s exports rose 14.1% to E4.2 billion in September, lifting the trade surplus to E687.9 million, with sugar among the strongest-performing exports. Mpakeni Dam: Sinohydro, part of the joint venture contracted to build the dam, is embroiled in an Ecuador bribery case in which company representatives were jailed. Youth Games: Eswatini’s Under-17 boys will face Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Region V Games in Mozambique in December; the girls’ side drew Zambia and Lesotho.

Regional Trade: Eswatini traders showcased honey, maize, sugar and apparel at the COMESA business forum in Harare, seeking access to markets across the 21-member bloc. Citizenship Scandal: The Civil Service Commission found registrar Nonhlanhla Malambe guilty of dishonesty and corruption over the alleged unlawful issue of citizenship documents to Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala. Cross-Border Crime: South African police arrested six emaSwati in Mpumalanga in two dagga seizures valued at about R1.95 million. Local Industry: Lavumisa is pursuing a 354-hectare industrial park to attract manufacturing and processing businesses. Regional Ties: Eswatini’s embassy and Kuwaiti partners hosted a cultural evening attended by Princess Temaswati and Princess Tsandzile, celebrating the kingdom’s heritage and ties with Kuwait. Public Finances: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo warned that wide salary gaps mean economic growth may not benefit lower-paid workers.

Pay Inequality: Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo says weak salary structures leave some Eswatini workers earning just E3,500 while company bosses take home E280,000. Financial Crime: Eswatini will host AU-backed training for 40 to 45 prosecutors, investigators and analysts on tracing hidden assets and tackling money laundering. Small Business: King Mswati III has urged firms and government bodies to pay invoices on time, saying delays put wages and jobs at risk; entrepreneurs can report overdue payments to SEDCO. Sihlangu: Eswatini’s first friendly against a European national team, Malta on November 12, could cost more than E1 million in flights for the delegation. Child Safety: Three pupils, aged 16 to 19, have been arrested over the alleged rape of their 14-year-old classmate after school. Media: The Eswatini Revenue Service has pledged E180,000 to the National Media Awards, saying journalists can help explain tax compliance and domestic revenue.

Small Business: King Mswati III says late payments by government and large companies are putting jobs at risk. Entrepreneurs can report overdue invoices to SEDCO. FNB Eswatini is also restarting interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses. Media: ERS has pledged E180,000 to the National Media Awards, which will add digital media categories this year. Education: The minister says the policy barring female pupils from wearing trousers needs review amid concerns about learners’ rights. Public Safety: Three teenagers have been arrested over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old classmate; police also arrested a man accused of posing as an officer during a dagga raid. Sport: Eswatini’s Sizeze face Lesotho in the BOLESWA Tri-Nation Cup in Mbabane today, with the hosts aiming to keep the trophy at home. Culture: MTN Bushfire 2027 early-bird and Phase One tickets sold out within 30 minutes.

Small Business: King Mswati III has urged government bodies and companies to pay invoices on time, warning delays cost jobs and can shut viable businesses. Entrepreneurs can report overdue payments through a new SEDCO hotline. FNB Eswatini has also revived interest-free loans of up to E50,000 for youth-owned businesses and start-ups. Education and Safety: Three pupils, aged 16, 17 and 19, have been arrested over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old classmate in the Manzini region. Regional Diplomacy: Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane was elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. King Mswati III remains its current chair. Media: The 2026 National Media Awards plan to add digital media categories, with organisers encouraging online outlets to register with the ICT ministry. Football: Sihlangu will make history on November 12 when they play Malta in their first international friendly against a European national team.