Eswatini forum to rethink urban finance
Municipalities will explore bonds and public-private partnerships to fund development beyond property rates.
Eswatini's urban development faces financial and infrastructural challenges as towns grow. The 2026 Eswatini Urban Forum aims to find new ways for municipalities to finance their expansion, moving beyond traditional revenue sources and government aid. The forum will gather financiers, development partners, and government officials to discuss smart solutions, resilient infrastructure, and housing.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Appolo Maphalala stated the forum will focus on improving service delivery by finding additional financing for local authorities, rather than relying solely on property rates. He suggested that urban local authorities could issue municipal bonds, similar to the national government, to raise development funds. Public-private partnerships, such as the Build, Operate and Transfer model, were also highlighted as ways to leverage assets like vacant land for development.
The forum, first held in 2024, seeks practical solutions to urban challenges. Diversifying municipal financing requires exploring instruments beyond property rates to attract private investment and meet the growing demands of urban populations for roads, water, sanitation, and housing.
Why it mattersEswatini's urban local authorities are seeking new ways to finance development and improve services due to limitations in their current revenue bases.