Eswatini expands infrastructure partnership with new bridge and 2027 project plans

The government of Eswatini and the organization Engineers in Action (EIA) have officially opened the Nkosinatsi Suspension Footbridge in Siphofaneni. The 87-metre structure, costing E1.35 million, is the 44th pedestrian bridge completed through this partnership since 2017. Notably, this bridge features a steel walking deck, the first of its kind in the program, designed to increase durability and reduce maintenance compared to traditional timber decking.

Looking ahead to 2027, the partnership plans to expand its scope. Proposed projects include the construction of nine additional pedestrian bridges, three clean-water systems, and five school boreholes. This expansion aims to improve access to essential services such as schools, health clinics, and markets, particularly in rural areas where heavy rainfall often makes river crossings dangerous. Since its inception, the collaboration has reached approximately 117,000 beneficiaries through bridge construction and provided water access to roughly 1,500 schoolchildren.