Mbabane – The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development planning officers gathered at Mbabane’s Mountain View hotel to draft a review report of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/24-2024/25.
According to the ministry’s Facebook post, the NDP consultant, Nokwazi Matsebula, led the team on the process where the NDP implementation status, and insights were shared. The NDP shows indications of economic recovery and sustainable livelihoods of Emaswati.
The NDP depicts a country making progress in terms of human capital, with advances in life expectancy, access to education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and electrification. The country’s GDP grows at 4%, primarily driven by manufacturing, services and infrastructure investments. 
Latest policy reforms and initiatives including the Government in Your Hand digital platform, the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS), Tinkhundla-led development projects, and efforts to improve service delivery through digital transformation, are also highlighted.
The report does not ignore implementation challenges. Such issues arise from climate-related shocks and unemployment. Fiscal and social pressures including national debts and high levels of vulnerability continue to hamper the Sustainable Development Goal’s progress. Unemployment stands at 34% and youth unemployment at critical levels above 58%.
There are also issues of inadequate monitoring systems and partnership challenges and collaboration for the NDP’s successful execution.
