Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has secured a JPY 103 million (about E12 million) grant from the Government of Japan to improve school transport for learners with disabilities.
The funding follows the signing of the Universal Accessible School Transport Project between Eswatini and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
At the signing ceremony in Manzini, officials confirmed that the grant will be used to procure four universally accessible buses and provide specialised training for drivers and technicians.
The initiative aims to ease long-standing transport barriers, especially for children in rural communities while advancing the country’s inclusive education agenda.
Japan’s Ambassador to Eswatini, Shimizu Fumio, said the project highlights a significant step forward in the two nations’ cooperation.
He noted that the buses are designed to allow learners using wheelchairs to board safely without needing to disembark, ensuring dignity, safety and reliable school access.
“This assistance provides educational opportunities for individuals who are disadvantaged,” he said, adding that the grant reflects Japan’s continued commitment to strengthening development ties with Eswatini.
Ambassador Shimizu highlighted this year’s active high-level exchanges between the two countries, including Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s visit to Japan during the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 and His Majesty King Mswati III’s participation in the TICAD Summit in August.
He said these engagements strengthened cooperation and helped pave the way for initiatives like the transport project.
The Ambassador emphasised that while Eswatini’s policies support inclusive education, learners with disabilities, often in rural areas, still struggle with access due to scarce specialised transport and uneven distribution of support facilities. He said the buses funded through the grant will help close that gap.
The project was initiated following a request from Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, whose advocacy highlighted the urgent need for improved mobility for learners with disabilities. Shimizu noted that Japan was compelled to respond, aligning its support with Eswatini’s National Disability Action Plan, the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2018 and other national development priorities.
He urged the Ministry of Education and Training and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to ensure proper management and maintenance of the buses to secure long-term sustainability.
Moreover, Ambassador Shimizu emphasized Japan’s commitment to supporting Eswatini’s inclusive development efforts and expressed hope that the new buses will open doors to greater educational opportunities and improved life outcomes for children with disabilities.
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