Africa-Press – Eswatini. The signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), led by the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE), will help Eswatini advance six United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The agreements, signed on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, formalise partnerships between EWADE and key Government ministries and parastatals, strengthening coordinated action in agricultural development.
The partnerships bring together EWADE and four strategic institutions, all committed to improving agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods.
Institutions that signed MoUs with EWADE
Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA)
Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development (MTAD)
National Maize Corporation (NMC)
Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA)
These MoUs form the second phase of EWADE’s partnership framework. On 16 September 2025, EWADE signed the first batch of agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), ensuring broad institutional alignment in support of smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the event, EWADE Chief Executive Officer Dr Samson Sithole said the partnerships are designed to move cooperation from “good intentions to structured action”, while directly advancing six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
UN Sustainable Development Goals advanced
SDG 1: No Poverty – Increasing rural incomes and livelihoods
SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Enhancing food security and nutrition
SDG 5: Gender Equality – Empowering women in agribusiness and farming
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating jobs, especially for youth
SDG 13: Climate Action – Promoting climate-smart agriculture
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthening collaboration across sectors
The MoUs are aligned with the Smallholder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP), launched in March 2025. SAPEMP is implemented by EWADE with support from the Government of Eswatini, IFAD and the Green Climate Fund, and is expected to benefit over 19,600 households, reaching nearly 117,700 people nationwide.
Key objectives of SAPEMP
Increase smallholder production, nutrition and incomes
Improve market access and access to finance
Build resilience to climate change
Strengthen the policy and institutional environment
Core SAPEMP components
Component 1: Production and Productivity
Cluster-based, market-led production
Infrastructure investments for commercialisation
Component 2: Market Linkages and Finance
Capacity building for farmer clusters and enterprises
Long-term offtake agreements with markets
Component 3: Enabling Environment
Policy advocacy
Project management and coordination
Key achievements supported by partners
Improved climate and early warning systems through MTEA
Community-level planning and site profiling facilitated by MTAD
Strengthened maize and legumes value chains with NMC
Promotion of environmental sustainability and green innovation with EEA
EWADE reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, innovation and inclusive growth, with a strong focus on women and youth. The organisation called on all partners to ensure the MoUs translate into real impact at farmer level.
The partnerships mark a shared national commitment to transforming Eswatini’s agriculture into a competitive, resilient and sustainable sector—one that delivers lasting benefits for farmers, communities and the economy.
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