Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has taken another decisive step toward universal electricity access following a high-level Early Market Engagement workshop hosted by the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy.
The engagement, held at Khanyisa House and virtually on 5 February 2026, focused on preparing suppliers and stakeholders for a major procurement package under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Project, funded by the World Bank.
Strengthening the National Grid
At the centre of the workshop was a high-value procurement for distribution overhead line materials valued at approximately US$27 million, highlighting the scale of the national energy expansion programme.
The ASCENT Project aims to modernise and expand Eswatini’s electricity network through rehabilitation of distribution systems, construction of new transmission lines and substations, modernisation of infrastructure, and expansion of electrification. These initiatives are expected to connect 50,000 households, supporting the goal of universal electricity access by 2030.
Opening Doors for Local Businesses
The project encourages local participation through joint ventures with international companies, subcontracting opportunities, local agency roles, and domestic preference provisions. These measures promote skills transfer, strengthen local industry, and ensure meaningful participation in major infrastructure projects.
The project is also expected to generate jobs across supply chains, logistics, transport, warehousing, technical services and support industries.
Transparent and Competitive Procurement
The process is being conducted openly and transparently, with suppliers given access to draft bidding documents to provide feedback before formal tendering begins.
Key milestones include: Bid invitation publication (27 February 2026), Bid submission deadline (20 April 2026), Anticipated award date (30 June 2026), and Contract signing completion (24 July 2026).
Driving Innovation and Investment
The initiative gathered industry insights on pricing trends, supply chain risks and new technologies to refine procurement strategies and attract a broader supplier base.
Overall, the ASCENT Project is positioned as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, business development and job creation in Eswatini.
