Africa-Press – Eswatini. A wave of employment and enterprise opportunities is unfolding across Eswatini as the Regional Development Fund (RDF) implements 204 projects valued at E305 million.
The projects, spread across the Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni regions, are expected to create 1,442 job opportunities while directly benefiting more than 52,000 Emaswati, according to the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development’s Second Quarter Performance Report.
Unlike traditional short-term employment programmes, the RDF model channels funding into income-generating ventures and infrastructure, creating both immediate jobs and longer-term economic participation.
Of the projects underway, 72 are income-generating initiatives, while 172 focus on infrastructure, including roads, water systems, electrification and community facilities.
The Fund, established under Legal Notice No. 03 of 2015, was designed to support decentralised development by allowing communities to identify and implement projects that respond to local needs.
Worth noting that the Government has positioned the RDF as a mechanism to reduce poverty through productive investment rather than relief-based interventions.
As of September 30, 2025, the RDF had recorded a 63 per cent disbursement rate, with E2.7 million committed against E2.2 million received for its administration account.
The Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini says in his reports says the government has projects worth E305 million for people to utilize.
While operational challenges remain, particularly limited administrative funding, project implementation has continued across all regions.
“Beyond funding, the RDF has invested in capacity building to improve project sustainability. During the review period, 68 project committee members from 21 Eswatini Organised Groups (EOGs) received training in bookkeeping, financial reporting, material management and stock control,” reads the report.
These skills are aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring that funded projects remain viable beyond initial disbursement, as mentioned by the report.
The report further states that, regionally, Manzini leads in project volume, with 76 ongoing projects valued at E87.6 million, projected to create 652 jobs.
Shiselweni follows with 92 ongoing projects worth E120.9 million, expected to benefit 16,155 people and generate 397 jobs. Hhohho currently has 53 ongoing projects valued at E71.2 million, while Lubombo has 23 projects worth E25.2 million underway.
To date, 48 RDF projects have been completed nationwide at E71.1 million, directly benefiting 5,999 people and creating 203 jobs.
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