A key transport corridor connecting the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions is set for a transformative upgrade as Eswatini’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport intensifies preparations for Phase 1 of the Eswatini Road Infrastructure Improvement Programme (ERIIP).
On Friday, ministry officials led a detailed site inspection along the Siphofaneni–Sithobela–Maloma–Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma–Siphambanweni (MR21) roads.
The tour was attended by prospective contractors bidding to take part in the civil works initiative, which spans a total of 105.9 kilometres.
The planned works aim to upgrade the currently unpaved MR14–MR21 route to full paved standard — a move expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve access between rural and urban areas, and stimulate local economic activity in southeastern Eswatini.
Officials from the ministry guided participating firms to key infrastructure points along the road where major interventions are planned.
These include drainage improvements, bridge enhancements, and roadside safety features, according to initial project outlines.
“The inspection is a vital step in ensuring transparency and readiness before awarding the contracts,” said an official from the Ministry of Public Works.
“We are committed to delivering infrastructure that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”
The ERIIP initiative is one of Eswatini’s flagship infrastructure programmes, aimed at modernising the country’s road network and improving rural accessibility.
Once completed, the upgraded corridor is expected to ease movement between towns and connect outlying communities more efficiently to healthcare, markets, and educational services.
The civil engineering works are projected to take 36 months from commencement to completion, with community engagement and environmental safeguards integral to the project’s rollout.
As part of the ERIIP, other road segments across the kingdom are also scheduled for upgrade in coming years, marking a new era of infrastructure development in Eswatini.
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