MBABANE – The government has launched a renewed push to overhaul Eswatini’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) regulations with the backing of UNICEF.
A sensitisation workshop hosted jointly by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the Ministry of Health, and UNICEF was held on Monday to kick off the process. The initiative seeks to strengthen legal and governance structures guiding the country’s WASH sector.
The project is funded by UNICEF and forms part of broader efforts to support Eswatini’s national drive towards improved public health and environmental safety through stricter water and sanitation oversight.
According to officials, the reform will be delivered in three phases. The first phase involves a regulatory assessment to take stock of existing laws, examine operational gaps, and compare with best practices across the region.
In the second phase, the team will consult with stakeholders—including local government, regulators, water providers, and civil society groups—to test findings and gather input for reform.
The final phase focuses on drawing up a strategic plan to reform existing frameworks, strengthen institutions, and ensure long-term, sustainable regulation of water services.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy also confirmed that a review of the Water Act and national Water Policy is already underway, aimed at aligning existing laws with current realities and international standards.
Officials say the insights gathered through the WASHREG project will feed directly into that policy review process, offering data-driven guidance for better governance and access to safe water services across the country.
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