By 
By Delisa Thwala
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, during the Budget Speech for the 12th Parliament on Friday, unveiled an ambitious infrastructure development plan, signalling a new era for Eswatini’s road network.
The 2025 budget includes a staggering E1.2 billion dedicated to road construction, rural road surfacing, and maintenance.
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In a major highlight, the Minister celebrated the completion of the long-awaited Nhlangano–Sicunusa road (MR13), which faced several delays but now stands as a key milestone. Meanwhile, E200 million has been allocated for the surfacing of rural roads, ensuring that even remote areas will benefit from all-weather access.
An additional E30 million will go toward Micro Projects aimed at concreting roads in local communities.
To sustain these efforts, starting March 1, 2025, an extra 40 cents per liter will be added to fuel prices to fund the newly established Roads Authority, tasked with ensuring the maintenance of the national, regional, and local road networks under the 2023 Roads Authority Act.
Public buildings won’t be left behind, as the government adopts an ‘all-inclusive approach’ to upgrade state-owned properties, addressing their current poor condition.
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With over E371.67 million earmarked for road maintenance alone, Minister Rijkenberg’s announcement signals a robust step toward improving connectivity and boosting development across all four regions of Eswatini.
