SCALE-Eswatini addresses critical barriers to safe, reliable and climate-resilient WASH services in Eswatini. The sector faces recurring droughts and floods, inadequate infrastructure, affordability constraints, limited financing, and weak participation of local MSMEs. The project will prepare two priority water-security investments for downstream financing. The Luphohlo Water Supply System, currently 75% complete, requires approximately US$3.10 million to complete remaining works, commission the system and connect it to the national network. The Simunye Water Treatment Plant, serving more than 55,000 people, requires expansion from 10 ML/day to 20 ML/day at an estimated cost of US$11.64 million to meet growing demand. In parallel, the project will strengthen the local WASH MSME ecosystem through market assessments, enterprise registration, technical and business training, access to finance and equipment, and links to procurement opportunities and future investments.
Project overview
Investment opportunity
Investment types sought
Project status
Development stage
Pre-feasibility
Additional project information
- Lead agency
- Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Expected impact
275
Jobs created / supported
Economic & development benefits
- SCALE-Eswatini will improve water security and service reliability for more than 55,000 people while unlocking approximately US$14.7 million in priority water infrastructure investments
- The project will reduce economic losses from water shortages, service interruptions and climate-related shocks, while improving operational efficiency and productivity for households, businesses and public institutions
- By strengthening local WASH MSMEs, it will create jobs, expand opportunities in construction, operations and maintenance, and increase local participation in infrastructure delivery
- Reliable water services will support economic growth, strengthen climate resilience, reduce future rehabilitation costs, and attract additional public, private and climate finance for implementation, generating long-term economic and social returns beyond the initial project preparation investment
Climate & resilience benefits
- SCALE-Eswatini will strengthen resilience to droughts, floods and climate variability by preparing climate-resilient water infrastructure and integrating climate-risk assessments and adaptation measures into investment design
- The project will improve water security for more than 55,000 people through completion of the Luphohlo Water Supply System and expansion of the Simunye Water Treatment Plant
- It will promote nature-based and resource-efficient solutions, including source-water protection, catchment restoration, groundwater assessment, erosion control, water reuse and energy-efficient technologies
- The project will also strengthen climate-resilient WASH standards, improve institutional capacity for climate-informed planning, and mobilise public, private and climate finance for implementation
- By supporting local WASH MSMEs, it will enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilient service delivery and support sustainable livelihoods
Contact
Contact team
For more information about this project, please contact the Commonwealth Investment Platform team.