Consultants invited to develop MNWAP masterplan

MBABANE – Government, through EWADE, is inviting consultancy firms to express interest in developing the Holistic Approach Development Master Plan (MNWAP-HADMP) for the Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme.

This follows the country’s application for a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the preparation of the master plan.

According to the general procurement notice issued by the AfDB, the master plan will form the basis for long-term development in the MNWAP programme area and is aimed at unlocking its economic potential — especially in the Shiselweni Region — through strategic planning across multiple sectors and creating a framework for private sector investment.

The objective of the MNWAP-HADMP is to guide the transformation of the MNWAP programme area into an economic hub through a structured, cross-sectoral plan.

The consultancy assignment will involve:

• Designing sector-specific sub-plans in areas such as transportation, energy, housing, tourism, health and education.
• Establishing policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks to support coordinated development.
• Preparing an investment framework to attract private sector participation.

The master plan is intended to position the MNWAP region as a driver of national development, with the private sector seen as the major economic catalyst.

The consultancy will be required to deliver work across four components:

1. Socio-economic development opportunities. This will involve identifying value chains beyond cotton that could thrive in the Special Agro-Processing Zone within the MNWAP area.

2. Integrated sectoral development plans and investment plan. Consultants will prepare detailed sectoral development strategies and outline a comprehensive investment and financing plan for MNWAP-HADMP.

3. Strategic environmental impact assessment (StrEA). A key environmental safeguard, this component will involve conducting a StrEA to guide environmentally responsible development.

4. Implementation and management framework. This will define the institutional, policy and regulatory arrangements necessary for implementing the master plan effectively.

The procurement of consultancy services will be conducted according to the AfDB’s Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations (October 2015).

The process will follow the procedures set out in the Grant Agreement.

The MNWAP-HADMP is a foundational step toward implementing the broader Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme, which seeks to enhance water supply, support commercial agriculture and expand infrastructure across Shiselweni.

By hiring a consulting firm to lead the design of the master plan, government intends to produce a clear development roadmap that will facilitate investment, promote private sector involvement and ensure environmental and institutional readiness for project implementation.

According to the notice, the final master plan will form the blueprint for transforming the MNWAP area into a special economic zone, with targeted interventions to uplift livelihoods, infrastructure and long-term economic growth in southern Eswatini.

The Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project is a transformative agricultural development initiative by the Kingdom of Eswatini, strategically designed to drive economic growth, enhance food security and mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.

With a strong focus on empowering women and youth, MNWAP aims to uplift the rural poor—especially in the Shiselweni Region—by fostering sustainable agricultural development.

Key components of MNWAP:

• Phase 1a: Construction of the Mpakeni Dam on the Ngwavuma River, including an access road and all associated infrastructure.
• Phase 1b: Development of the Main Conveyance System, Secondary and In-Field Distribution Systems and On-Farm Development, covering 4 600 hectares across St Philips, Mconcwane/Mcathuvane, Maloma, and Sigwe irrigation zones.
• Phase 2a: Construction of Ethemba Dam, along with a tunnel system designed to efficiently transfer water from the Mkhondvo River, ensuring enhanced water security for agricultural and domestic use.
• Phase 2b: Implementation of an advanced Main Conveyance and Secondary Distribution System, coupled with extensive On-Farm Development across the Greater Lavumisa irrigation area (18 000 hectares), benefitting communities around Somntongo, Matsanjeni and beyond.

Benefits of MNWAP:

• Empowering smallholder farmers: Over 4 600 farming households will experience a transformative rise in income, with earnings projected at a minimum of E158 750 annually from 2030 onwards.
• Massive job creation: At full completion, MNWAP will directly create an estimated 100 000 jobs, with countless additional employment opportunities emerging from related industries and economic activities.